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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2007
Registration No. 333-141687
 
 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Amendment No. 2 to
Form S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
 
 
 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
 
 
 
         
Delaware   4922   41-2232463
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056
(713) 627-5400
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
 
C. Gregory Harper
President and Chief Executive Officer
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056
(713) 627-5400
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
 
 
 
 
Copies to:
 
     
David P. Oelman
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 758-2222
  Joshua Davidson
Kelly B. Rose
Baker Botts L.L.P.
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 229-1234
 
 
 
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:   As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   o
 
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   o
 
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   o
 
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   o
 
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.   o
 
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JUNE 4, 2007
 
PROSPECTUS
(SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS LOGO)
 
10,000,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
 
Spectra Energy Partners, LP is a limited partnership recently formed by Spectra Energy Corp. This is the initial public offering of our common units. We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between $     and $      per common unit. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common units. We have applied to list our common units on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEP.”
 
Investing in our common units involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21.
 
These risks include the following:
 
  •  We may not have sufficient cash from operations following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including cost reimbursements to our general partner, to enable us to make cash distributions to holders of our common units and subordinated units at the initial distribution rate under our cash distribution policy.
 
  •  Two of our three primary assets are controlled by Spectra Energy Corp and other third parties who are responsible for the management and operations of those assets. As a result we cannot control the amount of cash we will receive from them and we may be required to contribute significant cash to fund their operations.
 
  •  Our natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to establish transportation and storage rates that would allow us to recover the full cost of operating our pipelines, including a reasonable return, and our ability to make distributions to you.
 
  •  Spectra Energy Corp controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Our general partner and its affiliates, including Spectra Energy Corp, have conflicts of interest with us and limited fiduciary duties, and they may favor their own interests to your detriment.
 
  •  Affiliates of our general partner, including Spectra Energy Corp, DCP Midstream, LLC and DCP Midstream Partners, LP, are not limited in their ability to compete with us, which could limit our commercial activities or our ability to acquire additional assets or businesses.
 
  •  If you are not an (1) individual or entity subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by us or (2) entity not subject to U.S. federal taxation on the income generated by us, but all of whose owners are subject to such taxation, you will not be entitled to receive distributions or allocations of income or loss on your common units and your common units will be subject to redemption.
 
  •  Holders of our common units have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect our general partner or its directors.
 
  •  You will experience immediate and substantial dilution of $6.85 in tangible net book value per common unit.
 
  •  You may be required to pay taxes on income from us even if you do not receive any cash distributions from us.
 
                 
    Per Common Unit   Total
 
Initial public offering price
  $           $        
Underwriting discount(1)
  $       $    
Proceeds to Spectra Energy Partners, LP (before expenses)
  $       $  
 
 
(1) Excludes an aggregate structuring fee equal to 0.25% of the gross proceeds of this offering, or approximately $500,000, payable to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc.
 
We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 common units from us on the same terms and conditions as set forth above if the underwriters sell more than 10,000,000 common units in this offering.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The underwriters expect to deliver the common units through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about          , 2007.
 
Citi Lehman Brothers
Merrill Lynch & Co.  
  UBS Investment Bank  
  Wachovia Securities
A.G. Edwards Raymond James
 
          , 2007


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  F-1
  A-1
  B-1
  C-1
  D-1
  Credit Agreement
  Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
 
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
 
Until          , 2007 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our common units, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.


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SUMMARY
 
This summary provides a brief overview of information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 and the historical and pro forma financial statements. Unless indicated otherwise, the information presented in this prospectus assumes (1) an initial public offering price of $20.00 per unit and (2) that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional units. We include a glossary of some of the terms used in this prospectus as Appendix D. References in this prospectus to “Spectra Energy Partners, LP,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms when used in a historical context refer to the businesses that Spectra Energy Corp is contributing to Spectra Energy Partners, LP in connection with this offering. When used in the present tense or prospectively, those terms refer to Spectra Energy Partners, LP and its subsidiaries. References to our “general partner” refer to Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP and/or Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, the general partner of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, as appropriate. References to “Spectra Energy” when used with respect to periods prior to January 1, 2007 refer to Spectra Energy Capital, LLC and when used with respect to periods after that date or prospectively refer to Spectra Energy Corp, the ultimate parent company of our general partner. References to “East Tennessee” and “Gulfstream” refer to East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC and Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., respectively. References to “Market Hub” refer to Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and its successor, Market Hub Partners Holding, a Delaware general partnership.
 
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
Overview
 
We are a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership recently formed by Spectra Energy to own and operate natural gas transportation and storage assets. Our initial assets consist of interests in two interstate natural gas pipeline systems located in the southeastern United States with over 2,100 miles of pipelines, interests in two natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Louisiana with aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 billion cubic feet, or Bcf, and a liquefied natural gas, or LNG, storage facility in Tennessee.
 
We intend to utilize the significant experience of Spectra Energy’s management team to execute our growth strategy, including the acquisition and construction of additional energy assets. Spectra Energy, which is comprised of the former natural gas businesses of Duke Energy Corporation, became a stand-alone publicly traded company in January 2007. At December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy had approximately 17,500 miles of natural gas transportation pipelines and approximately 265 Bcf of natural gas storage capacity (including the assets to be contributed to us).
 
Our Assets
 
East Tennessee System.   We own and operate 100% of the approximately 1,400-mile East Tennessee interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from central Tennessee eastward into southwest Virginia and northern North Carolina, and southward into northern Georgia. East Tennessee supports the growing energy demands of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States through its connection to 19 receipt points and more than 175 delivery points and its market delivery capability of approximately 1.3 Bcf/d of natural gas. East Tennessee also owns and operates an LNG storage facility in Kingsport, Tennessee with natural gas storage capacity that can be used for system operations or sold to the market, or working gas storage capacity, of approximately 1.0 Bcf and regasification capability of 150 million cubic feet per day, or MMcf/d.
 
Gulfstream System.   We own a 24.5% interest in the approximately 690-mile Gulfstream interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from Pascagoula, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama across the Gulf of Mexico and into Florida. Gulfstream supports the fast growing south and central Florida markets through its connection to seven receipt points and 19 delivery points and its market delivery capability of approximately 1.1 Bcf/d of natural gas. Subsidiaries of Spectra Energy and The Williams


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Companies, Inc. own the remaining 25.5% and 50.0% interests in Gulfstream, respectively, and jointly operate the system.
 
Market Hub System.   We own a 50.0% interest in Market Hub, which owns and operates two high-deliverability salt cavern natural gas storage facilities located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana and Liberty County, Texas. These two facilities have aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 Bcf and interconnect with 12 major natural gas pipeline systems. Market Hub’s storage facilities offer access to natural gas supplies from Texas, Louisiana and growing imports of LNG to the Gulf Coast, and each facility interconnects with Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern System. A subsidiary of Spectra Energy owns the remaining 50.0% interest in Market Hub and operates the system.
 
Our Operations
 
We transport and store natural gas for a broad mix of customers, including local gas distribution companies, or LDCs, municipal utilities, interstate and intrastate pipelines, direct industrial users, electric power generators and natural gas marketers and producers. In addition to serving directly connected Southeastern markets, our pipeline and storage systems have access to customers in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States through numerous interconnections with major pipelines. Our rates are regulated under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, rate-making policies, and, in the case of our storage facility in Texas, by the Texas Railroad Commission, or TRC.
 
We provide a significant portion of our transportation and storage services through firm contracts that obligate our customers to pay us monthly capacity reservation fees, which are fixed charges owed to us regardless of the actual pipeline or storage capacity utilized by a customer. When a customer utilizes the capacity it has reserved under these contracts, we also collect a variable fee based on the volume of natural gas actually transported or stored. This enables us to recover our variable costs. These fees are typically a small percentage of the total fees we receive from our firm contracts. We also derive a smaller portion of our revenues through interruptible contracts under which our customers pay fees based on their actual utilization of our assets for transportation and storage services and other related services. Customers who have executed interruptible contracts are not assured capacity in our pipeline and storage facilities. To the extent that physical capacity that is contracted for firm service is not being fully utilized, we can contract such capacity for interruptible service. The table below sets forth certain information regarding our assets, our contracts and our revenues, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006:
 
                                                 
                                  Weighted
 
          Revenue Composition %     % of Physical
    Average
 
          Firm Contracts           Capacity
    Remaining
 
          Capacity
                Subscribed
    Contract
 
    Our Ownership
    Reservation
    Variable
    Interruptible
    Under Firm
    Life (in
 
Asset
  Interest     Fees     Fees     Contracts     Contracts     years)(1)  
 
East Tennessee
    100.0 %     97.7 %     1.7 %     0.6 %     89.7 %     9.3  
Gulfstream
    24.5 %     85.6 %     2.9 %     11.5 %     68.8 %     20.2  
Market Hub
    50.0 %     90.0 %     0.0 %     10.0 %     100.0 %     2.4  
 
 
(1) The average life of each contract is calculated based on the average annual contract revenue for such contract’s remaining life.
 
The high percentage of our earnings derived from capacity reservation fees mitigates the risk to us of earnings fluctuations caused by changing supply and demand conditions. For additional information about our contracts, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — How We Evaluate Our Operations” and “Business — Regulation.”
 
Our Relationship with Spectra Energy
 
One of our principal attributes is our relationship with Spectra Energy, which will own our general partner and a significant interest in us following this offering. Spectra Energy is comprised of the former natural gas businesses of Duke Energy Corporation and became a stand-alone publicly traded company in


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January 2007. Spectra Energy owns and operates a large and diversified portfolio of complementary natural gas-related energy assets and is one of North America’s leading midstream natural gas companies. Spectra Energy, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SE,” serves three key links in the natural gas value chain: gathering and processing, transportation and storage and distribution. Through its interests in five U.S. pipeline systems (including East Tennessee and Gulfstream) and three Canadian pipeline systems, Spectra Energy owns and operates one of the largest long-haul natural gas pipeline networks in North America consisting of approximately 17,500 miles of transportation pipelines. In addition, Spectra Energy is one of the largest operators of natural gas storage in North America with eleven storage facilities with total working gas capacity of approximately 265 Bcf (including East Tennessee’s LNG facility and Market Hub), and owns a 50.0% interest in DCP Midstream, LLC (previously known as Duke Energy Field Services, LLC), which is the largest natural gas liquids producer in North America. DCP Midstream, LLC owns the general partner interest and a 40.7% limited partner interest in DCP Midstream Partners, LP, which is a midstream master limited partnership.
 
Upon the completion of this offering, Spectra Energy will own our 2% general partner interest, all of our incentive distribution rights and a 82.6% limited partner interest in us. We will enter into an omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy, our general partner and certain of their affiliates that will govern our relationship with them regarding certain reimbursement and indemnification matters. Please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Omnibus Agreement.” While our relationship with Spectra Energy and its subsidiaries is a significant attribute, it may also be a source of conflicts. For example, neither Spectra Energy nor any of its affiliates are prohibited from competing with us. Spectra Energy and its affiliates may acquire, construct or dispose of assets in the future without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or construct those assets. Please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”
 
Summary of Risk Factors
 
An investment in our common units involves risks. The following list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Please read carefully these and other risks described under “Risk Factors.”
 
Risks Related to Our Business
 
  •  We may not have sufficient cash from operations following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including cost reimbursements to our general partner, to enable us to make cash distributions to holders of our common units and subordinated units at the initial distribution rate under our cash distribution policy.
 
  •  On a pro forma basis we would not have had sufficient cash available for distribution to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution on all units for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007. Please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”
 
  •  Gulfstream and Market Hub are controlled by Spectra Energy and other third parties who are responsible for the management and operations of those assets. As a result we cannot control the amount of cash we will receive from Gulfstream and Market Hub and we may be required to contribute significant cash to fund their operations.
 
  •  Our natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to regulation by FERC, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to establish transportation and storage rates that would allow us to recover the full cost of operating our pipelines, including a reasonable return, and our ability to make distributions to you.
 
  •  Certain of our transportation services are subject to long-term, fixed-price “negotiated rate” contracts that are not subject to adjustment, even if our cost to perform such services exceeds the revenues received from such contracts, and, as a result, our costs could exceed our revenues received under such contracts.


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  •  The assumptions underlying the minimum estimated cash available for distribution we include in “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic, financial, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated.
 
  •  If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our natural gas pipelines and facilities become unavailable to transport natural gas, our revenues and cash available for distribution could be adversely affected.
 
  •  Any significant decrease in supplies of natural gas in our areas of operation could adversely affect our business and operating results and reduce our cash available for distribution to unitholders.
 
  •  We may not be able to maintain or replace expiring gas transportation and storage contracts at favorable rates.
 
  •  We depend on certain key customers for a significant portion of our revenues. The loss of any of these key customers could result in a decline in our revenues and cash available to make distributions to you.
 
Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us
 
  •  Spectra Energy controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Spectra Energy has conflicts of interest, and it may favor its own interests to your detriment.
 
  •  Affiliates of our general partner, including Spectra Energy, DCP Midstream, LLC and DCP Midstream Partners, LP, are not limited in their ability to compete with us, which could limit our commercial activities or our ability to acquire additional assets or businesses.
 
  •  If you are not an (1) individual or entity subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by us or (2) entity not subject to U.S. federal taxation on the income generated by us, but all of whose owners are subject to such taxation, you will not be entitled to receive distributions or allocations of income or loss on your common units and your common units will be subject to redemption.
 
  •  Cost reimbursements to our general partner and its affiliates for services provided, which will be determined by our general partner, will be substantial and will reduce our cash available for distribution to you.
 
  •  Our partnership agreement limits our general partner’s fiduciary duties to holders of our common units and subordinated units and restricts the remedies available to holders of our common units and subordinated units for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Tax Risks to Common Unitholders
 
  •  Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation by individual states. If the Internal Revenue Service treats us as a corporation or we become subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, it would substantially reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
  •  An Internal Revenue Service contest of the federal income tax positions we take may adversely affect the market for our common units, and the cost of any Internal Revenue Service contest will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
  •  You may be required to pay taxes on income from us even if you do not receive any cash distributions from us.
 
  •  Tax gain or loss on disposition of common units could be more or less than expected.


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Formation Transactions and Partnership Structure
 
General
 
At the closing of this offering the following transactions will occur:
 
  •  Spectra Energy or its subsidiaries will contribute certain of their assets to us or our subsidiaries;
 
  •  we will issue to a subsidiary of Spectra Energy 32,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units, representing an aggregate 82.6% limited partner interest in us;
 
  •  we will issue to Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy, a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights, which will entitle our general partner to increasing percentages of the cash we distribute in excess of $0.3594 per unit per quarter (115% of the minimum quarterly distribution);
 
  •  we will issue 10,000,000 common units to the public in this offering, representing an 15.4% limited partner interest in us, and will use the proceeds as described in “Use of Proceeds”;
 
  •  we expect to borrow $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt under our $500 million credit facility; and
 
  •  we will enter into an omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy, our general partner and certain of their affiliates pursuant to which:
 
  —  we will reimburse Spectra Energy for the payment of certain operating expenses and for providing various general and administrative services; and
 
  —  Spectra Energy will indemnify us for certain environmental and tax liabilities and title and right-of-way defects.
 
Management of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, our general partner, has sole responsibility for conducting our business and for managing our operations. Because our general partner is a limited partnership, its general partner, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, will conduct our business and operations, and the board of directors and officers of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will make decisions on our behalf. Spectra Energy will elect all seven members to the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, with at least three directors meeting the independence standards established by the New York Stock Exchange. For more information about these individuals, please read “Management — Directors and Executive Officers.”
 
As is common with publicly traded limited partnerships and in order to maximize operational flexibility, we will conduct our operations through subsidiaries. We will have one direct operating subsidiary initially, Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP, a limited partnership that will conduct business through itself and its subsidiaries.


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Organizational Structure and Ownership
 
The following diagram depicts our organizational structure after giving effect to this offering and the related transactions assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units.
 
         
Public Common Units
    15.4 %
Spectra Energy Common and Subordinated Units
    82.6 %
General Partner Units
    2.0 %
         
Total
    100.0 %
 
(SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP LOGO)


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Principal Executive Offices and Internet Address
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056 and our telephone number is (713) 627-5400. Our website is located at www.spectraenergypartners.com and will be activated in connection with the closing of this offering. We expect to make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
 
Summary of Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties
 
General.   Our general partner has a legal duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to holders of our common units and subordinated units. This legal duty originates in statutes and judicial decisions and is commonly referred to as a “fiduciary duty.” However, because our general partner is owned by Spectra Energy, the officers and directors of our general partner also have fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to Spectra Energy. As a result of this relationship, conflicts of interest may arise in the future between us and holders of our common units and subordinated units, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates on the other hand.
 
Partnership Agreement Modifications to Fiduciary Duties.   Our partnership agreement limits the liability and reduces the fiduciary duties of our general partner to holders of our common units and subordinated units. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to holders of our common units and subordinated units for actions that might otherwise constitute a breach of our general partner’s fiduciary duties owed to holders of our common units and subordinated units. Our partnership agreement also provides that affiliates of our general partner, including Spectra Energy and its affiliates, are not restricted from competing with us. By purchasing a common unit, the purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms of our partnership agreement and, pursuant to the terms of our partnership agreement, each holder of common units consents to various actions contemplated in the partnership agreement and conflicts of interest that might otherwise be considered a breach of fiduciary or other duties under applicable state law.
 
For a more detailed description of the conflicts of interest and fiduciary duties of our general partner, please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”


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The Offering
 
Common units offered to the public 10,000,000 common units.
 
Common units subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional units in full, we will issue 1,500,000 additional common units to the public and redeem the same number of common units from our general partner, which will be deemed to be a selling unitholder in this offering. Please read “Selling Unitholder”.
 
Units outstanding after this offering 42,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units, representing 66% and 32%, respectively, limited partner interests in us. The general partner will own 1,298,325 general partner units.
 
Use of proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $187.5 million from this offering, after deducting $12.5 million of underwriting discounts, but before paying offering expenses and structuring fees of approximately $500,000 to be paid to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. for evaluation, analysis and structuring of our partnership, to:
 
• purchase approximately $145.3 million of qualifying investment grade securities(as permitted under the credit agreement), which will be assigned as collateral to secure the term loan portion of our credit facility;
 
• pay approximately $7.2 million of expenses associated with the offering and related formation transactions;
 
• distribute approximately $25.0 million in cash to subsidiaries of Spectra Energy as reimbursement for capital expenditures incurred by subsidiaries of Spectra Energy prior to this offering related to the assets to be contributed to us upon the closing of this offering, which distribution will be made in partial consideration of the assets contributed to us upon the closing of this offering; and
 
• use the remaining amount of approximately $10.0 million to fund working capital.
 
We also anticipate that we will borrow approximately $145.3 million in term debt and approximately $125 million in revolving debt upon the closing of this offering, and we will distribute the aggregate amount of the proceeds of such borrowings to subsidiaries of Spectra Energy, which distribution will be made in partial consideration of the assets contributed to us upon the closing of this offering.
 
If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units is exercised in full, we will (1) use the net proceeds of $28.1 million to purchase an equivalent amount of qualifying investment grade securities, which will be assigned as collateral to secure the additional term loan borrowings described below and (2) borrow an additional amount under the term loan portion of our credit facility equal to the net proceeds to be received from the exercise of the underwriters’ option. The proceeds of the additional term loan borrowings will be used to redeem from a subsidiary of Spectra Energy a number of common units equal to the number of common units


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issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ option, at a price per common unit equal to the proceeds per common unit before expenses but after underwriting discounts and a structuring fee.
 
Cash distributions We will make an initial quarterly distribution of $0.3125 per common unit ($1.25 per common unit on an annualized basis) to the extent we have sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner and its affiliates. Our ability to pay cash distributions at this initial distribution rate is subject to various restrictions and other factors described in more detail under the caption “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”
 
We will pay investors in this offering a prorated distribution for the first quarter during which we are a publicly traded partnership. Such distribution will cover the period from the closing date of this offering to and including September 30, 2007. We expect to pay this cash distribution on or about November 15, 2007.
 
Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our cash on hand at the end of each quarter, less reserves established by our general partner. We refer to this cash as “available cash,” and we define its meaning in our partnership agreement and in the glossary of terms attached as Appendix D. Our partnership agreement also requires that we distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus each quarter in the following manner:
 
•  first , 98% to the holders of common units and 2% to our general partner, until each common unit has received a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3125 plus any arrearages from prior quarters;
 
•  second , 98% to the holders of subordinated units and 2% to our general partner, until each subordinated unit has received a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3125; and
 
•  third , 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unit has received a distribution of $0.3594.
 
If cash distributions to our unitholders exceed $0.3594 per common unit in any quarter, our general partner will receive, in addition to distributions on its 2% general partner interest, increasing percentages, up to 50%, of the cash we distribute in excess of that amount. We refer to these distributions as “incentive distributions.” Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.”
 
The amount of pro forma available cash generated during the year ended December 31, 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007 would have been sufficient to allow us to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution on all of our common units, but only approximately 42% and 97%, respectively, of the minimum quarterly distribution on our subordinated units during that period. For a calculation of our ability to make distributions to unitholders based on our pro forma results for 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, please read “Our Cash


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Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions — Unaudited Pro Forma Cash Available for Distribution for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2007.”
 
We believe that, based on the estimates contained and the assumptions listed under the caption “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions — Minimum Estimated Cash Available for Distribution for the Twelve-Month Period Ending June 30, 2008,” we will have sufficient cash available for distribution to make cash distributions for the four quarters ending June 30, 2008 at the initial distribution rate of $0.3125 per common unit per quarter ($1.25 per common unit on an annualized basis) on all common units and subordinated units.
 
Subordinated units A subsidiary of Spectra Energy will initially own all of our subordinated units. The principal difference between our common units and subordinated units is that in any quarter during the subordination period, holders of the subordinated units are entitled to receive the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3125 per unit only after the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Subordinated units will not accrue arrearages. The subordination period will end on the first business day after we have earned and paid at least $0.3125 on each outstanding limited partner unit and general partner unit for any three consecutive, non-overlapping four quarter periods ending on or after June 30, 2010. The subordination period also will end upon the removal of our general partner other than for cause if the units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal.
 
When the subordination period ends, all remaining subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis, and the common units will no longer be entitled to arrearages. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Related to Cash Distributions — Subordination Period.”
 
Early conversion of subordinated units
Alternatively, the subordination period will end on the first business day after we have earned and paid at least $1.8752 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on each outstanding limited partner unit and general partner unit for any four quarter period ending on or after June 30, 2008. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Related to Cash Distributions — Subordination Period.”
 
General Partner’s right to reset the target distribution levels
Our general partner has the right, at a time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, to reset the initial cash target distribution levels at higher levels based on the distribution at the time of the exercise of the reset election. Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum


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quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per common unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to correspondingly higher levels based on the same percentage increases above the reset minimum quarterly distribution amount as in our current target distribution levels.
 
In connection with resetting these target distribution levels, our general partner will be entitled to receive Class B units. The Class B units will be entitled to the same cash distributions per unit as our common units and will be convertible into an equal number of common units. The number of Class B units to be issued will be equal to that number of common units whose aggregate quarterly cash distributions equaled the average of the distributions to our general partner on the incentive distribution rights in the prior two quarters. For a more detailed description of our general partner’s right to reset the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments are based and the concurrent right of our general partner to receive Class B units in connection with this reset, please see “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Related to Cash Distributions — General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels.”
 
Issuance of additional units We can issue an unlimited number of units without the consent of our unitholders. Please read “Units Eligible for Future Sale” and “The Partnership Agreement — Issuance of Additional Securities.”
 
Limited voting rights Our general partner will manage and operate us. Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, you will have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. You will have no right to elect our general partner or the directors of its general partner on an annual or other continuing basis. Our general partner may not be removed except by a vote of the holders of at least 66 2 / 3 % of the outstanding units, including any units owned by our general partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class. Upon consummation of this offering, our general partner and its affiliates will own an aggregate of approximately 84.3% of our common and subordinated units. This will give Spectra Energy the ability to prevent our general partner’s involuntary removal. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Voting Rights.”
 
Limited call right If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the outstanding common units, our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase all of the remaining common units at a price not less than the then-current market price of the common units.
 
Eligible Holders and redemption Only Eligible Holders will be entitled to receive distributions or be allocated income or loss from us. Eligible Holders are:
 
• individuals or entities subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us; or


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• entities not subject to United States federal taxation on the income generated by us, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to such taxation.
 
We have the right, which we may assign to any of our affiliates, but not the obligation, to redeem all of the common and subordinated units of any holder that is not an Eligible Holder or that has failed to certify or has falsely certified that such holder is an Eligible Holder. The purchase price for such redemption would be equal to the lower of the holder’s purchase price and the then-current market price of the units. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner.
 
Please read “Description of the Common Units — Transfer of Common Units” and “The Partnership Agreement — Non-Taxpaying Assignees; Redemption.”
 
Estimated ratio of taxable income to distributions
We estimate that if you own the common units you purchase in this offering through the record date for distributions for the period ending December 31, 2010, you will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income for that period that will be 20% or less of the cash distributed to you with respect to that period. For example, if you receive an annual distribution of $1.25 per unit, we estimate that your average allocable federal taxable income per year will be no more than $0.25 per unit. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Ratio of Taxable Income to Distributions.”
 
Material tax consequences For a discussion of other material federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States, please read “Material Tax Consequences.”
 
Exchange listing We have applied to list our common units on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEP.”


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Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data
 
The following table shows (i) summary combined historical financial and operating data of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor, (ii) summary combined pro forma financial data of Spectra Energy Partners and (iii) summary historical financial and operating data of Gulfstream and Market Hub for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The summary combined historical financial data of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are derived from the historical audited combined financial statements, and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are derived from the historical unaudited combined financial statements, of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The table should also be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
The summary historical financial data of Gulfstream and Market Hub as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are derived from the audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are derived from the historical unaudited combined financial statements, of Gulfstream and Market Hub, respectively.
 
The summary combined pro forma financial data of Spectra Energy Partners as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 are derived from the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners included elsewhere in this prospectus. The pro forma adjustments have been prepared as if certain transactions to be effected at the closing of this offering had taken place on March 31, 2007, in the case of the pro forma balance sheet, and as of January 1, 2006, in the case of the pro forma statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006, and for the three months ended March 31, 2007. These transactions include:
 
  •  East Tennessee’s and Market Hub’s distribution of accounts receivable of $11.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively, to Spectra Energy;
 
  •  Spectra Energy Partners’ receipt of $200 million in gross proceeds from the issuance and sale of 10,000,000 common units to the public;
 
  •  Spectra Energy Partners’ borrowings under its new $500 million credit facility of $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt; and
 
  •  Spectra Energy Partners’ use of proceeds and borrowings to pay transaction expenses and underwriting commissions, reimburse subsidiaries of Spectra Energy for certain capital expenditures, fund working capital and invest in qualifying investment grade securities (as permitted under our credit agreement).
 
The following table includes the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) financial measures:
 
  •  Our historical and pro forma Adjusted EBITDA;
 
  •  Adjusted EBITDA for both our 24.5% ownership interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% ownership interest in Market Hub;
 
  •  Our historical and pro forma cash available for distribution; and
 
  •  Cash available for distribution for both our 24.5% ownership interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% ownership interest in Market Hub.
 
These measures are presented because such information is relevant to, and will be used by, management, industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and operating results of our fundamental business activities. Our 24.5% ownership interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% ownership interest in Market Hub are not consolidated in our pro forma financial results, but are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In order to evaluate our Adjusted EBITDA for the cash impact of our investments in Gulfstream and Market Hub on our results, we calculate Adjusted


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EBITDA and cash available for distribution separately for us and our ownership interests in Gulfstream and Market Hub. We expect distributions we receive from Gulfstream and Market Hub to represent a significant portion of the cash we distribute to our unitholders. The limited liability company agreement for Gulfstream and the general partnership agreement for Market Hub provide for quarterly distributions of available cash to their members. Please read “How We Make Cash Distributions — General — Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy” for more information on the manner in which Gulfstream and Market Hub distribute cash to their members.
 
We define our Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less our equity in earnings of Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income and other income (expenses), net, which primarily consists of non-cash allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, and certain other items such as insurance recoveries.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less interest income and other income, net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries. Our equity share of Gulfstream’s Adjusted EBITDA is 24.5%, and our equity share of Market Hub’s Adjusted EBITDA is 50.0%.
 
We define our cash available for distribution as our Adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub, less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Our cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Our pro forma cash available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006, and for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2007 includes our anticipated incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly traded partnership.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances.
 
For a reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
 
                                                         
    Spectra Energy Partners
    Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
    Predecessor Combined     Pro Forma  
                Year
    Three Months
 
    Year Ended
    Three Months Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    December 31,     March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007  
    (In thousands, except per unit and operating data)  
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                                                       
Total operating revenues
  $ 81,716     $ 80,003     $ 82,609     $ 22,221     $ 26,433     $ 82,609     $ 26,433  
Operating expenses:
                                                       
Operations, maintenance, and other
    26,081       24,648       21,831       10,486       6,905       21,831       6,905  
Depreciation and amortization
    21,492       23,640       18,986       4,754       4,969       18,986       4,969  
Property and other taxes
    518       5,264       4,177       1,607       (127 )     4,177       (127 )
                                                         
Total operating expenses
    48,091       53,552       44,994       16,847       11,747       44,994       11,747  
                                                         
Operating income
    33,625       26,451       37,615       5,374       14,686       37,615       14,686  
                                                         
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    35,495       46,287       41,105       7,059       11,385       41,105       11,385  
Other income (expenses), net
    1,485       528       1,765       335       12       1,765       12  
Interest income
    6       24       15       4       9       7,716       1,934  
Interest expense
    (8,258 )     (8,506 )     (8,151 )     (2,067 )     (2,156 )     (25,133 )     (6,401 )
Income tax expense
    (9,202 )     (7,834 )     (10,741 )     (1,212 )     (4,733 )     (453 )     (209 )
                                                         
Net income
  $ 53,151     $ 56,950     $ 61,608     $ 9,493     $ 19,203     $ 62,615     $ 21,407  
                                                         


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    Spectra Energy Partners
    Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
    Predecessor Combined     Pro Forma  
                Year
    Three Months
 
    Year Ended
    Three Months Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    December 31,     March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007  
    (In thousands, except per unit and operating data)  
 
Net income per limited partners’ unit
                                          $ 1.25     $ 0.33  
Common units
                                          $ 0.38     $ 0.33  
Subordinated unit
                                                       
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                                       
Total assets
  $ 1,302,974     $ 1,202,772     $ 1,284,582             $ 1,291,966             $ 1,427,833  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    602,226       616,316       691,820               688,789               688,789  
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
    553,731       422,340       442,793               450,068               441,409  
Long-term debt
    150,000       150,000       150,000               150,000               420,300  
Total parent net equity
    1,024,754       895,696       989,125               987,702               971,928  
                                                         
Other Financial Data:
                                                       
Spectra Energy Partners
                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 83,987     $ 93,272     $ 62,278     $ 17,099     $ 22,478     $ 63,285     $ 24,590  
Adjusted EBITDA
    55,117       50,091       56,601       10,129       19,655       56,601       19,655  
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly-traded partnership(b)
                                  5,500       1,375  
Net cash paid for interest expense
    12,955       8,566       8,591       6       9       17,672       2,279  
Maintenance capital expenditures
    6,679       8,232       10,933       1,354       895       10,933       895  
Cash available for distribution(a)
    73,784       77,526       80,377       21,284       35,734       65,796       32,089  
Expansion capital expenditures
    27,590       51,083       74,977       9,886       1,198       74,977       1,198  
Gulfstream — our 24.5%
                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    18,771       24,999       24,712       8,373       8,171                  
Adjusted EBITDA
    18,699       29,583       36,060       7,190       8,905                  
Net cash paid for interest expense
    1,555       3,869       12,109                              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    47       234       151       81       216                  
Cash available for distribution(a)
    17,097       25,480       23,800       7,170       8,852                  
Expansion capital expenditures
    30,356       15,000       5,149       1,642       5,204                  
Market Hub — our 50.0%
                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    21,452       31,139       84,386       4,702       8,358                  
Adjusted EBITDA
    27,027       32,552       24,286       5,677       8,727                  
Net cash paid for interest expense
                22                              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    5,823       13,799       4,763       665       1,192                  
Cash available for distribution(a)
    21,204       18,753       19,500       5,345       8,131                  
Expansion capital expenditures
    2,677       5,195       22,279       3,341       18,550                  
                                                         
Operating Data:
                                                       
East Tennessee
                                                       
Transportation capacity (Bcf/d)
    1.263       1.280       1.319       1.279       1.319                  
Contracted firm capacity (Bcf/d)
    1.147       1.114       1.183       1.113       1.182                  
Transported volumes (Bcf)
    121.7       133.1       143.7       40.9       55.8                  
Gulfstream — 100% basis
                                                       
Transportation capacity (Bcf/d)
    1.063       1.063       1.063       1.077       1.077                  
Contracted firm capacity (Bcf/d)
    0.296       0.731       0.731       0.723       0.723                  
Transported volumes (Bcf)
    110.7       179.7       251.3       47.5       47.7                  
Market Hub — 100% basis
                                                       
Storage capacity (Bcf)
    28.7       29.8       34.8       29.8       34.8                  
 
(a) Cash available for distribution of Spectra Energy Partners includes cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub.
 
(b) Upon completion of this offering, we anticipate incurring incremental general and administrative expense of approximately $5.5 million per year as a result of being a publicly-traded limited partnership. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not reflect these expenses.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
We define our Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less our equity in earnings of Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income and other income (expenses), net, which primarily consists of non-cash allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, and certain other items such as insurance recoveries.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less interest income and other income, net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries. Our equity share of Gulfstream’s Adjusted EBITDA is 24.5%, and our equity share of Market Hub’s Adjusted EBITDA is 50.0%.
 
We define our cash available for distribution as our Adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub, less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Our cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Our pro forma cash available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the three months ended March 31, 2007 includes our anticipated incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly traded partnership.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances.
 
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors and commercial banks, to assess:
 
  •  the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
 
  •  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on our indebtedness and to make distributions to our partners; and
 
  •  our operating performance and return on invested capital as compared to those of other publicly traded limited partnerships that own energy infrastructure assets, without regard to their financing methods and capital structure.
 
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, while cash available for distribution is a measure we use to assess our ability to make distributions to our unitholders, cash available for distribution should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that we have available for distributions or that we plan to distribute for a given period.


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The following tables present reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution for each of us, Gulfstream and Market Hub to their respective GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided (used) by operating activities on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis as adjusted for this offering.
 
                                                                 
          Spectra Energy
       
          Partners, LP
       
    Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined     Pro Forma        
          Three Months
          Three Months
       
          Ended
    Year Ended
    Ended
       
    Year Ended December 31,     March 31,     December 31,     March 31,        
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007        
    (In thousands)        
 
Spectra Energy Partners
                                                               
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net Income”
                                                               
Net income
  $ 53,151     $ 56,950     $ 61,608     $ 9,493     $ 19,203     $ 62,615     $ 21,407          
Add:
                                                               
Interest expense
    8,258       8,506       8,151       2,067       2,156       25,133       6,401          
Income tax expense
    9,202       7,834       10,741       1,212       4,733       453       209          
Depreciation and amortization
    21,492       23,640       18,986       4,754       4,969       18,986       4,969          
Less:
                                                               
Interest income
    6       24       15       4       9       7,716       1,934          
Equity in earnings of Gulfstream
    11,081       16,611       16,763       2,331       4,188       16,763       4,188          
Equity in earnings of Market Hub
    24,414       29,676       24,342       4,728       7,197       24,342       7,197          
Other income (expenses), net
    1,485       528       1,765       334       12       1,765       12          
                                                                 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 55,117     $ 50,091     $ 56,601     $ 10,129     $ 19,655     $ 56,601     $ 19,655          
                                                                 
Add:
                                                               
Cash available for distribution from Gulfstream
    17,097       25,480       23,800       7,170       8,852       23,800       8,852          
Cash available for distribution from Market Hub
    21,204       18,753       19,500       5,345       8,131       19,500       8,131          
Less:
                                                               
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a public company
                                  5,500       1,375          
Net cash paid for interest expense (income), net
    12,955       8,566       8,591       6       9       17,672       2,279          
Maintenance capital expenditures
    6,679       8,232       10,933       1,354       895       10,933       895          
                                                                 
Cash available for distribution
  $ 73,784     $ 77,526     $ 80,377     $ 21,284     $ 35,734     $ 65,796     $ 32,089          
                                                                 
                                                                 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities”
                                                               
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 83,987     $ 93,272     $ 62,278     $ 17,099     $ 22,478     $ 63,285     $ 24,590          
Interest income
    (6 )     (24 )     (15 )     (4 )     (9 )     (7,716 )   $ (1,934 )        
Interest expense
    8,258       8,506       8,151       2,067       2,156       25,133       6,401          
Income taxes
    (21,964 )     3,465       (2,072 )     (3,822 )     3,310       (12,360 )     (1,122 )        
Distributions received from Market Hub
                            (354 )           (354 )        
Distributions received from Gulfstream
    (13,720 )     (29,645 )     (20,335 )     (5,635 )     (3,675 )     (20,335 )     (3,675 )        
Other
          36       314       (3 )     (13 )     314       (13 )        
Changes in operating working capital:
                                                               
Accounts receivable
    848       (934 )     (49 )     1,734       1,714       (49 )     1,714          
Other current assets
    6,294       (6,189 )     878       313       (439 )     878       (439 )        
Accounts payable
    4,787       (1,687 )     798       1,907       (516 )     798       (516 )        
Taxes accrued
    (17,694 )     (7,527 )     3,345       3,668       (1,733 )     3,345       (1,733 )        
Other current liabilities
    3,197       (1,617 )     8,927       4,500       (3,310 )     8,927       (3,310 )        
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
    1,130       (7,565 )     (5,619 )     (11,695 )     46       (5,619 )     46          
                                                                 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 55,117     $ 50,091     $ 56,601     $ 10,129     $ 19,655     $ 56,601     $ 19,655          
                                                                 


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          Spectra Energy
       
          Partners, LP
       
    Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined     Pro Forma        
          Three Months
          Three Months
       
          Ended
    Year Ended
    Ended
       
    Year Ended December 31,     March 31,     December 31,     March 31,        
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007        
    (In thousands)        
 
Add:
                                                               
Cash available for distribution from Gulfstream
    17,097       25,480       23,800       7,170       8,852       23,800       8,852          
Cash available for distribution from Market Hub
    21,204       18,753       19,500       5,345       8,131       19,500       8,131          
Less:
                                                               
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a public company
                                  5,500       1,375          
Net cash paid for interest expense (income), net
    12,955       8,566       8,591       6       9       17,672       2,279          
Maintenance capital expenditures
    6,679       8,232       10,933       1,354       895       10,933       895          
                                                                 
Cash available for distribution
  $ 73,784     $ 77,526     $ 80,377     $ 21,284     $ 35,734     $ 65,796     $ 32,089          
                                                                 

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          Three Months Ended
 
    Year Ended December 31,     March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Gulfstream
                                       
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net Income”
                                       
Net income
  $ 45,228     $ 67,800     $ 68,422     $ 9,495     $ 17,094  
Add:
                                       
Interest expense
    9,092       25,540       48,787       12,211       12,124  
Depreciation and amortization
    25,354       29,190       30,406       7,585       7,623  
Less:
                                       
Other income (expenses), net
    3,353       1,783       431       (56 )     494  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 76,321     $ 120,747     $ 147,184     $ 29,346     $ 36,348  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 24.5%
  $ 18,699     $ 29,583     $ 36,060     $ 7,190     $ 8,905  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
    6,349       15,794       49,423              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    190       955       617       81       216  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 69,782     $ 103,998     $ 97,144     $ 29,265     $ 36,132  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 24.5%
  $ 17,097     $ 25,480     $ 23,800     $ 7,170     $ 8,852  
                                         
                                         
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities”
                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 76,617     $ 111,858     $ 107,083     $ 34,176     $ 33,353  
Interest expense
    9,092       25,540       48,787       12,211       12,124  
Other
    (5,571 )     (4,962 )     493       56       (494 )
Changes in operating working capital:
                                       
Accounts receivable
    (420 )     9,698       (3,772 )     (457 )     (278 )
Other current assets
    (3,575 )     143       545       (38 )     (938 )
Accounts payable
    (102 )     2,066       (994 )     (305 )     166  
Accrued taxes
    1,264       (4,861 )     (8,050 )     (3,247 )     6,515  
Accrued interest
    (1,573 )     (6,709 )     687       (12,367 )     (12,366 )
Accrued liabilities
    172       (5,830 )     875       (165 )      
Fuel tracker liabilities
          (2,962 )     2,260       (592 )     (107 )
Other current liabilities
    (223 )     (2,940 )     (3,197 )     0       (0 )
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
    640       (294 )     2,467       74       (1,630 )
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 76,321     $ 120,747     $ 147,184     $ 29,346     $ 36,348  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 24.5%
  $ 18,699     $ 29,583     $ 36,060     $ 7,190     $ 8,905  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
    6,349       15,794       49,423              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    190       955       617       81       216  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%(a)
  $ 69,782     $ 103,998     $ 97,144     $ 29,265     $ 36,132  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 24.5%
  $ 17,097     $ 25,480     $ 23,800     $ 7,170     $ 8,852  
                                         
 
 
(a) Actual member distributions for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were approximately $56,000, $121.0 million and $83.0 million, respectively. In addition, there was a $621.0 million return of capital in 2005.


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    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Market Hub
                                       
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net Income”
                                       
Net income
  $ 48,829     $ 59,353     $ 48,684     $ 9,457     $ 14,515  
Add:
                                       
Interest expense
                2,636       33       1,023  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,788       6,938       7,815       1,866       2,077  
Less:
                                       
Interest income
    30       41       11       2       4  
Other income (expenses), net
    1,533       1,146       10,553             157  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 54,054     $ 65,104     $ 48,571     $ 11,354     $ 17,454  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 50.0%
  $ 27,027     $ 32,552     $ 24,286     $ 5,677     $ 8,727  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
                43              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    11,646       27,599       9,528       665       1,192  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 42,408     $ 37,505     $ 39,000     $ 10,689     $ 16,262  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 50.0%
  $ 21,204     $ 18,753     $ 19,500     $ 5,345     $ 8,131  
                                         
                                         
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities”
                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 42,904     $ 62,278     $ 168,771     $ 9,403     $ 16,715  
Interest income
    (30 )     (41 )     (11 )     (2 )     (4 )
Interest expense
                2,636       33       1,023  
Other
    6       (10 )                 (157 )
Changes in operating working capital:
                                       
Accounts receivable
    36,682       (16,306 )     (5,944 )     121       (7,349 )
Inventory
    808       3,137       (6,113 )     (335 )     183  
Other current assets
    (260 )                 1,891       2,106  
Accounts payable
    (1,593 )     363       (4,804 )            
Accrued taxes
    214       506       (379 )     (945 )     582  
Collateral liabilities
    (1,799 )     (491 )     (56,341 )     130        
Other accrued liabilities
    (22,852 )     14,587       (2,638 )     799       3,687  
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
    (26 )     1,081       (46,606 )     259       668  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 54,054     $ 65,104     $ 48,571     $ 11,354     $ 17,454  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 50.0%
  $ 27,027     $ 32,552     $ 24,286     $ 5,677     $ 8,727  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
                43              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    11,646       27,599       9,528       665       1,192  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 42,408     $ 37,505     $ 39,000     $ 10,689     $ 16,262  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 50.0%
  $ 21,204     $ 18,753     $ 19,500     $ 5,345     $ 8,131  
                                         


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RISK FACTORS
 
Limited partner interests are inherently different from capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in similar businesses. You should consider carefully the following risk factors together with all of the other information included in this prospectus in evaluating an investment in our common units.
 
If any of the following risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might not be able to make distributions on our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
 
Risks Related to Our Business
 
We may not have sufficient cash from operations following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including cost reimbursements to our general partner, to enable us to make cash distributions to holders of our common units and subordinated units at the initial distribution rate under our cash distribution policy.
 
In order to make cash distributions at our initial distribution rate of $0.3125 per common unit per complete quarter, or $1.25 per unit per year, we will require available cash of approximately $20.3 million per quarter, or $81.1 million per year, based on the number of common units and subordinated units outstanding immediately after completion of this offering, whether or not the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common units. We may not have sufficient available cash from operating surplus each quarter to enable us to make cash distributions at the initial distribution rate under our cash distribution policy. The amount of cash we can distribute on our units principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which will fluctuate based on, among other things:
 
  •  the rates we charge for our transportation and storage services and the volumes of natural gas our customers transport and store;
 
  •  the overall demand for natural gas in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and the quantities of natural gas available for transport, especially from the Gulf of Mexico, Appalachian and Mid-Continent areas;
 
  •  regulatory action affecting the demand for natural gas, the supply of natural gas, the rates we can charge, how we contract for services, our existing contracts, our operating costs and our operating flexibility;
 
  •  regulatory and economic limitations on the development of LNG import terminals in the Gulf Coast region;
 
  •  successful development of LNG import terminals in the eastern or northeastern United States, which could reduce the need for natural gas to be transported on the East Tennessee pipeline system and for the development of additional natural gas storage capacity in the Gulf Coast region; and
 
  •  the level of our operating and maintenance and general and administrative costs.
 
In addition, the actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution will depend on other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
 
  •  the level of capital expenditures we make to complete construction projects;
 
  •  our debt service requirements and other liabilities;
 
  •  fluctuations in our working capital needs;
 
  •  our ability to borrow funds and access capital markets;


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  •  restrictions on distributions contained in our debt agreements; and
 
  •  the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner.
 
For a description of additional restrictions and factors that may affect our ability to make cash distributions, please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”
 
On a pro forma basis we would not have had sufficient cash available for distribution to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution on all units for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007.
 
The amount of available cash we need to pay the minimum quarterly distribution for four quarters on all of our units to be outstanding immediately after this offering is approximately $81.1 million. The amount of our pro forma available cash generated during the year ended December 31, 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007 would have been sufficient to allow us to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution on our common units but only approximately 42% and 97%, respectively, of the minimum quarterly distribution on our subordinated units during those periods. For a calculation of our ability to make distributions to unitholders based on our pro forma results for 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”
 
The assumptions underlying our minimum estimated cash available for distribution we include in “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic, financial, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated.
 
Our estimate of cash available for distribution set forth in “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” has been prepared by management and we have not received an opinion or report on it from our or any other independent auditor. The assumptions underlying this estimate are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic, financial, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those assumed. If we do not achieve our anticipated results, we may not be able to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution or any amount on our common units or subordinated units, in which event the market price of our common units may decline materially.
 
Gulfstream and Market Hub are controlled by Spectra Energy and other third parties who are responsible for the management and operations of those assets. As a result we cannot control the amount of cash we will receive from Gulfstream and Market Hub and we may be required to contribute significant cash to fund their operations.
 
Market Hub and Gulfstream are expected to generate approximately half of the cash we distribute to you and our performance is substantially dependant on their distributions to us. Spectra Energy will operate Market Hub and the operation of Gulfstream is shared between Spectra Energy and The Williams Companies. Accordingly, we do not control the amount of cash distributed to us nor do we control ongoing operational decisions, including the incurrence of capital expenditures that we may be required to fund. More specifically:
 
  •  We have limited ability to influence decisions with respect to the operation of Market Hub and Gulfstream, including decisions with respect to incurrence of expenses and distributions to us;
 
  •  Gulfstream and Market Hub may establish reserves for working capital and maintenance capital expenditures which would reduce cash otherwise available for distribution to us;
 
  •  Gulfstream and Market Hub may incur additional indebtedness, and related principal and interest payments that reduce cash otherwise available for distribution to us;


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  •  Market Hub and Gulfstream may require us to make additional capital contributions to fund working and maintenance capital expenditures, as well as to fund expansion capital expenditures, our funding of which would reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution to you.
 
Our lack of control over the operation of Market Hub and Gulfstream may mean that we do not receive the amount of cash we expect to be distributed to us and may require us to provide additional capital, and these contributions may be material. This lack of control may significantly and adversely affect our ability to distribute cash to you. For a more complete description of the agreements governing the management and operation of Market Hub and Gulfstream, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
 
Our natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to regulation by FERC, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to establish transportation and storage rates that would allow us to recover the full cost of operating our pipelines, including a reasonable return, and our ability to make distributions to you.
 
Our interstate natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to federal, state and local regulatory authorities. Specifically, our natural gas pipeline systems and certain of our storage facilities and related assets are subject to regulation by FERC. The federal regulation extends to such matters as:
 
  •  rates, operating terms and conditions of service;
 
  •  the types of services we may offer to our customers;
 
  •  construction of new facilities;
 
  •  acquisition, extension or abandonment of services or facilities;
 
  •  accounts and records; and
 
  •  relationships with affiliated companies involved in certain aspects of the natural gas business.
 
Under the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”), FERC has authority to regulate natural gas companies that provide natural gas pipeline transportation services in interstate commerce. Its authority to regulate those services includes the rates charged for the services, terms and conditions of service, certification and construction of new facilities, the extension or abandonment of services and facilities, the maintenance of accounts and records, the acquisition and disposition of facilities, the initiation and discontinuation of services, and various other matters. Natural gas companies may not charge rates that have been determined not to be just and reasonable by FERC. In addition, FERC prohibits natural gas companies from unduly preferring or unreasonably discriminating against any person with respect to pipeline rates or terms and conditions of service.
 
The rates and terms and conditions for our interstate pipeline and storage services are set forth in FERC-approved tariffs. Pursuant to FERC’s jurisdiction over rates, existing rates may be challenged by complaint and proposed rate increases may be challenged by protest. Any successful complaint or protest against our rates, or the loss of our market-based rate authority for our storage facilities, could have an adverse impact on our revenues associated with providing transportation and storage services.
 
Prior to commencing construction of expansions of interstate pipeline and storage facilities, a natural gas company must obtain certificate authorization from FERC. Applications are pending before FERC for certificate authorization for Gulfstream’s Phase III and Phase IV projects and for Market Hub’s expansion project designed to increase working gas storage capacity at the Egan storage facility from 24 Bcf to 32 Bcf. Any refusal by FERC to issue certificate authorization for one or more of these projects may mean that we cannot pursue these projects or that that they are constructed in a manner and with capacities that we do not currently anticipate. Such refusal or modification could materially and negatively impact the additional revenues expected from these projects.
 
Should we fail to comply with all applicable FERC administered statutes, rules, regulations and orders, we could be subject to substantial penalties and fines. Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, FERC has civil penalty authority under the NGA to impose penalties for current violations of up to $1,000,000 per day for each violation. See “Business — Regulation — FERC Regulation — Energy Policy Act of 2005.”


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Finally, we cannot give any assurance regarding the likely future regulations under which we will operate our natural gas transportation and storage businesses or the effect such regulation could have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you.
 
The outcome of certain rate cases involving FERC policy statements is uncertain and could affect our ability to include an income tax allowance in our cost of service based rates, which would in turn impact our revenues.
 
In May 2005, FERC issued a policy statement permitting the inclusion of an income tax allowance in the cost of service-based rates of a pipeline organized as a tax pass through partnership entity to reflect actual or potential income tax liability on public utility income, if the pipeline proves that the ultimate owner of its interests has an actual or potential income tax liability on such income. The policy statement also provides that whether a pipeline’s owners have such actual or potential income tax liability will be reviewed by FERC on a case-by-case basis. In August 2005, FERC dismissed requests for rehearing of its new policy statement. On December 16, 2005, FERC issued its first significant case-specific review of the income tax allowance issue in another pipeline partnership’s rate case. FERC reaffirmed its new income tax allowance policy and directed the subject pipeline to provide certain evidence necessary for the pipeline to determine its income tax allowance. The new tax allowance policy and the December 16, 2005 order were appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the “D.C. Circuit”). The D.C. Circuit issued an order on May 29, 2007 in which it denied these appeals and fully upheld FERC’s new tax allowance policy and the application of that policy in the December 16, 2005 order. We have no way of knowing whether any party will seek rehearing or appeal of the D.C. Circuit’s decision. However, it is possible that a party could request rehearing of the decision and/or petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.
 
On December 8, 2006, FERC issued a new order addressing rates on another pipeline. In the new order, FERC refined its income tax allowance policy, and notably raised a new issue regarding the implication of the policy statement for publicly traded partnerships. It noted that the tax deferral features of a publicly traded partnership may cause some investors to receive, for some indeterminate duration, cash distributions in excess of their taxable income, which FERC characterized as a “tax savings.” FERC stated that it is concerned that this created an opportunity for those investors to earn an additional return, funded by ratepayers. Responding to this concern, FERC chose to adjust the pipeline’s equity rate of return downward based on the percentage by which the publicly traded partnership’s cash flow exceeded taxable income. On February 7, 2007, the pipeline asked FERC to reconsider this ruling.
 
The ultimate outcome of these proceedings is not certain and could result in changes to FERC’s treatment of income tax allowances in cost of service. Depending upon how the policy statement on income tax allowances is applied in practice to pipelines organized as pass through entities, these decisions might adversely affect us. Under FERC’s current income tax allowance policy, if any of our FERC-regulated pipelines and storage facilities were to file a rate case, we would be required to establish that the inclusion of an income tax allowance in our cost of service is just and reasonable. While we have established the Eligible Holder certification requirement, we can provide no assurance that such certification will be effective to establish that our unitholders, or our unitholders’ owners, are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us. If we are unable to do so, FERC could disallow a substantial portion of our interstate pipelines’ income tax allowances, and the level of the affected facility’s maximum lawful rates could decrease from current levels.
 
Certain of our transportation services are subject to long-term, fixed-price “negotiated rate” contracts that are not subject to adjustment, even if our cost to perform such services exceeds the revenues received from such contracts, and, as a result, our costs could exceed our revenues received under such contracts.
 
Under FERC policy, a regulated service provider and a customer may mutually agree to sign a contract for service at a “negotiated rate” which may be above or below the FERC regulated “recourse rate” for that service. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, all of Gulfstream’s firm revenues were derived from such “negotiated rate” contracts and approximately 30% of East Tennessee’s firm revenues were derived


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from capacity reservation charges under “negotiated rate” contracts. These “negotiated rate” contracts are not subject to adjustment for increased costs which could be produced by inflation or other factors relating to the specific facilities being used to perform the services. It is possible that Gulfstream’s and East Tennessee’s costs to perform services under these “negotiated rate” contracts will exceed the negotiated rates. If this occurs, it could decrease cash flow from Gulfstream and East Tennessee. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — How We Evaluate Our Operations — Contract Mix.”
 
Market Hub’s right to charge “market-based rates” at certain of its facilities is subject to the continued existence of certain conditions related to the competitive position of Market Hub and, if those conditions change, the right to charge “market-based rates” could be terminated.
 
Certain of the rates charged by Market Hub are regulated by FERC pursuant to its “market-based rate” policy, which allows regulated storage companies to charge rates above those which would be permitted under traditional cost-of-service regulation. The right of Market Hub to charge “market-based rates” is based upon determinations by FERC that it does not have “market power” in the relevant market areas it serves. This determination of a lack of market power is subject to review and revision by FERC if circumstances change relating to Market Hub’s market power. In the event there were an adverse determination concerning “market power” with respect to Market Hub, its rates could become subject to cost-of-service regulation which could have adverse consequences for the cash flow of Market Hub.
 
Increased competition from alternative natural gas transportation and storage options and alternative fuel sources could have a significant financial impact on us.
 
We compete primarily with other interstate and intrastate pipelines and storage facilities in the transportation and storage of natural gas. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources and access to greater supplies of natural gas than we do. Some of these competitors may expand or construct transportation and storage systems that would create additional competition for the services we provide to our customers. Moreover, Spectra Energy and its affiliates are not limited in their ability to compete with us. Further, natural gas also competes with other forms of energy available to our customers, including electricity, coal and fuel oils.
 
The principal elements of competition among natural gas transportation and storage assets are rates, terms of service, access to natural gas supplies, flexibility and reliability. FERC’s policies promoting competition in natural gas markets are having the effect of increasing the natural gas transportation and storage options for our traditional customer base. As a result, we could experience some “turnback” of firm capacity as existing agreements expire. If East Tennessee, Gulfstream or Market Hub are unable to remarket this capacity or can remarket it only at substantially discounted rates compared to previous contracts, they may have to bear the costs associated with the turned back capacity. Increased competition could reduce the volumes of natural gas transported or stored by our systems or, in cases where we do not have long-term fixed rate contracts, could force us to lower our transportation or storage rates. Competition could intensify the negative impact of factors that significantly decrease demand for natural gas in the markets served by our pipeline systems, such as competing or alternative forms of energy, a recession or other adverse economic conditions, weather, higher fuel costs and taxes or other governmental or regulatory actions that directly or indirectly increase the cost or limit the use of natural gas. Our ability to renew or replace existing contracts at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected by the activities of our competitors. All of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and ability to make distributions to you.
 
Any significant decrease in supplies of natural gas in our areas of operation could adversely affect our business and operating results and reduce our cash available for distribution to unitholders.
 
All of our businesses are dependent on the continued availability of natural gas production and reserves. Low prices for natural gas or regulatory limitations could adversely affect development of additional reserves and production that is accessible by our pipeline and storage assets. Production from existing wells and


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natural gas supply basins with access to our pipelines will naturally decline over time. Additionally, the amount of natural gas reserves underlying these wells may also be less than anticipated, and the rate at which production from these reserves declines may be greater than anticipated. Accordingly, to maintain or increase the volume of natural gas transported, or throughput, on our pipelines and cash flows associated with the transportation of gas, our customers must continually obtain new supplies of natural gas.
 
If new supplies of natural gas are not obtained to replace the natural decline in volumes from existing supply basins, the overall volume of natural gas transported and stored on our systems would decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you.
 
The failure of LNG import terminals to be successfully developed in the Gulf Coast region or the successful development of LNG import terminals outside our areas of operations could reduce the demand for our services.
 
Imported LNG is expected to be a significant component of future natural gas supply to the United States. Much of this increase in LNG supplies is expected to be imported through new LNG facilities to be developed over the next decade, and the Gulf Coast region is expected to be the region that will attract a majority of these projects. According to FERC’s Office of Energy Policy, as of February 2007, there were two LNG terminals operating on the Gulf Coast, and 14 out of a total of 15 additional LNG terminals proposed for construction in the Gulf Coast region had been approved. We cannot predict which, if any, of these projects will be constructed. We may not realize expected increases in future natural gas supply available for transportation and storage on our systems due to factors including;
 
  •   new projects may fail to be developed;
 
  •   new projects may not be developed at their announced capacity;
 
  •   development of new projects may be significantly delayed;
 
  •   new projects may be built in locations that are not connected to our systems; or
 
  •  new projects may not influence sources of supply on our systems.
 
Similarly, the development of new, or expansion of existing, LNG facilities outside our areas of operations, or in an area with a direct connection into the Florida market served by Gulfstream, could reduce the need for customers to transport natural gas from the Gulf Coast and Appalachian regions, as well as other supply basins connected to our pipelines. This could reduce the amount of natural gas transported by our pipelines and the demand for our storage facilities.
 
If the expected increase in natural gas supply from imported LNG is not realized in our areas of operation, the future overall volume of natural gas transported and stored on our systems could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you.
 
We may not be able to maintain or replace expiring natural gas transportation and storage contracts at favorable rates.
 
Our primary exposure to market risk occurs at the time existing transportation and storage contracts expire and are subject to renegotiation and renewal. A portion of the revenue generated by our systems in 2006 is attributable to firm capacity reservation fees that are set to expire on or prior to December 31, 2010. For Gulfstream, East Tennessee and Market Hub those portions were 0%, 44%, and 66%, respectively. Upon expiration, we may not be able to extend contracts with existing customers or obtain replacement contracts at favorable rates or on a long-term basis.
 
The extension or replacement of existing contracts depends on a number of factors beyond our control, including:
 
  •  the level of existing and new competition to deliver natural gas to our markets;


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  •  the growth in demand for natural gas in our markets;
 
  •  whether the market will continue to support long-term contracts;
 
  •  whether our business strategy continues to be successful; and
 
  •  the effects of state regulation on customer contracting practices.
 
Any failure to extend or replace a significant portion of our existing contracts may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you.
 
We depend on certain key customers for a significant portion of our revenues. The loss of any of these key customers could result in a decline in our revenues and cash available to make distributions to you.
 
We rely on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the three largest customers for East Tennessee were Atmos Energy Corporation, KGen Partners, and AGL Resources, for Gulfstream were Florida Power & Light Company, Florida Power Corporation (d/b/a Progress Energy Florida, Inc.) and Tampa Electric Company and its affiliates and for Market Hub were Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Conectiv, Inc. and Fortis Energy Marketing and Trading. These customers accounted for approximately 41%, 82% and 30% of the operating revenues for East Tennessee, Gulfstream and Market Hub, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2006. While most of these customers are subject to long-term contracts, the loss of all or even a portion of the contracted volumes of these customers, as a result of competition, creditworthiness, inability to negotiate extensions or replacements of contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you, unless we are able to contract for comparable volumes from other customers at favorable rates.
 
If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our pipelines and facilities become unavailable to transport natural gas, our revenues and cash available to make distributions to you could be adversely affected.
 
We depend upon third-party pipelines and other facilities that provide delivery options to and from our pipelines and storage facilities. For example, our East Tennessee pipeline can receive over 950 MMcf/d from a major pipeline connection with Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern pipeline near Hartsville and Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, and can deliver approximately 700 MMcf/d to an interconnect with the Transco pipeline near Eden, North Carolina, while the Gulfstream pipeline can deliver approximately 500 MMcf/d to two interconnects with Florida Gas Transmission within the Florida peninsula. Similarly, both of the Market Hub storage facilities have interconnections with the Texas Eastern pipeline and many others. Because we do not own these third party pipelines or facilities, their continuing operation is not within our control. If these or any other pipeline connection were to become unavailable for current or future volumes of natural gas due to repairs, damage to the facility, lack of capacity or any other reason, our ability to operate efficiently and continue shipping natural gas to end markets could be restricted, thereby reducing our revenues. Any temporary or permanent interruption at any key pipeline interconnect which caused a material reduction in volumes transported on our pipelines or stored at our facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make distributions to you.
 
Neither Gulfstream nor Market Hub is prohibited from incurring indebtedness, which may affect our ability to make distributions to you.
 
Neither of Gulfstream or Market Hub is prohibited from incurring indebtedness by the terms of their respective limited liability company agreement and general partnership agreement. As of the date of this offering, Gulfstream has $850 million in outstanding senior notes, none of which indebtedness is consolidated on our balance sheet. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investing Activities”. If Gulfstream were to incur significant additional indebtedness, or if Market Hub were to incur significant indebtedness, it


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could inhibit their respective abilities to make distributions to us. An inability by either of Gulfstream or Market Hub to make distributions to us would materially and adversely affect our ability to make distributions to you because we expect distributions we receive from each of them to represent a substantial portion of the cash we distribute to our unitholders.
 
If we do not complete expansion projects or make and integrate acquisitions, our future growth may be limited.
 
A principal focus of our strategy is to continue to grow the cash distributions on our units by expanding our business. Our ability to grow depends on our ability to complete expansion projects and make acquisitions that result in an increase in cash generated from operations per unit. We may be unable to complete successful, accretive expansion projects or acquisitions for any of the following reasons:
 
  •  we are unable to identify attractive expansion projects or acquisition candidates or we are outbid by competitors;
 
  •  we are unable to obtain necessary rights of way or government approvals;
 
  •  an inability to integrate successfully the businesses we build or acquire;
 
  •  we are unable to raise financing for such expansions projects or acquisitions on economically acceptable terms; or
 
  •  mistaken assumptions about volumes, reserves, revenues and costs, including synergies and potential growth;
 
  •  we are unable to secure adequate customer commitments to use the newly expanded or acquired facilities.
 
Acquisitions or expansion projects that appear to be accretive may nevertheless reduce our cash from operations on a per unit basis.
 
Even if we make acquisitions or complete expansion projects that we believe will be accretive, these acquisitions or expansion projects may nevertheless reduce our cash from operations on a per unit basis. Any acquisition or expansion project involves potential risks, including, among other things:
 
  •  a decrease in our liquidity as a result of our using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance the project or acquisition;
 
  •  an inability to complete expansion projects on schedule or within the budgeted cost due to the unavailability of required construction personnel or materials, accidents, weather conditions or an inability to obtain necessary permits;
 
  •  an inability to receive cash flows from a newly built or acquired asset until it is operational;
 
  •  unforeseen difficulties operating in new product areas or new geographic areas; and
 
  •  customer losses at the acquired business.
 
If any expansion projects or acquisitions we ultimately complete are not accretive to our distributable cash flow per unit, our ability to make distributions to you may be reduced.
 
The amount of cash we have available for distribution to holders of our common units and subordinated units depends primarily on our cash flow and not solely on profitability, which may prevent us from making cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
 
You should be aware that the amount of cash we have available for distribution depends primarily upon our cash flow, including cash flow from financial reserves and working capital or other borrowings, and not solely on profitability, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result, we may make cash


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distributions during periods when we record net losses for financial accounting purposes and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net earnings for financial accounting purposes.
 
Significant prolonged changes in natural gas prices could affect supply and demand, reducing throughput on our systems and adversely affecting our revenues and cash available to make distributions to you over the long-term.
 
Higher natural gas prices over the long-term could result in a decline in the demand for natural gas and, therefore, in the throughput on our systems. Also, lower natural gas prices over the long-term could result in a decline in the production of natural gas resulting in reduced throughput on our systems. In addition, prolonged reduced price volatility could reduce the revenues generated by our parking and lending and interruptible storage services. As a result, significant prolonged changes in natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you.
 
Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.
 
Our natural gas transportation and storage activities are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. We may incur substantial costs in order to conduct our operations in compliance with these laws and regulations. For instance, we may be required to obtain and maintain permits and other approvals issued by various federal, state and local governmental authorities; limit or prevent releases of materials from our operations in accordance with these permits and approvals; install pollution control equipment; and incur potentially substantial liabilities for any pollution or contamination that may result from our operations. Moreover, new, stricter environmental laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be implemented that significantly increase our compliance costs or the cost of any remediation of environmental contamination that may become necessary, and these costs could be material.
 
Failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations, or the permits issued under them, may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations and the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations. In addition, strict joint and several liability may be imposed under certain environmental laws, which could cause us to become liable for the conduct of others or for consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. Private parties may also have the right to pursue legal actions against us to enforce compliance, as well as to seek damages for non-compliance, with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage that may result from environmental and other impacts of our operations. We may not be able to recover some or any of these costs through insurance or increased revenues, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to you. Please read “Business — Environmental Regulation” for more information.
 
We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of pipeline integrity management program testing and any necessary pipeline repair, or preventative or remedial measures.
 
The United States Department of Transportation, or DOT, has adopted regulations requiring pipeline operators to develop integrity management programs for transportation pipelines located where a leak or rupture could do the most harm in “high consequence areas.” The regulations require operators to:
 
  •  perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity;
 
  •  identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a high consequence area;
 
  •  improve data collection, integration and analysis;
 
  •  repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary; and
 
  •  implement preventive and mitigating actions.


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We currently estimate that we will incur costs of approximately $44.2 million between 2007 and 2012 to implement pipeline integrity management program testing along certain segments of the East Tennessee pipeline and at the Market Hub facilities. These estimates do not include the costs, if any, of repairs, remediation or preventative or mitigating actions that may be determined to be necessary as a result of the testing program, which could be substantial. Additionally, our actual implementation costs may be materially higher than we estimate if the increased industry-wide demand for the associated contractors and service providers causes their rates to materially increase. Should we fail to comply with DOT regulations, we could be subject to penalties and fines. Please read “Business — Safety and Maintenance” for more information.
 
We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities are located, which could disrupt our operations.
 
We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities have been constructed, and we are therefore subject to the possibility of more onerous terms and/or increased costs to retain necessary land use if we do not have valid rights-of-way or if such rights-of-way lapse or terminate. We obtain the rights to construct and operate our pipelines on land owned by third parties and governmental agencies for a specific period of time. Our loss of these rights, through our inability to renew right-of-way contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to you.
 
Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions.
 
Our operations are subject to many hazards inherent in the storage and transportation of natural gas, including:
 
  •  damage to pipelines, facilities and related equipment caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and other natural disasters, explosions and acts of terrorism;
 
  •  inadvertent damage from third parties, including from construction, farm and utility equipment;
 
  •  leaks of natural gas and other hydrocarbons or losses of natural gas as a result of the malfunction of equipment or facilities;
 
  •  collapse of storage caverns;
 
  •  operator error;
 
  •  environmental pollution;
 
  •  explosions and blowouts;
 
  •  risks related to underwater pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico, which are susceptible to damage from shifting as a result of water currents, as seen in the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as damage from vessels;
 
  •  risks related to pipeline traversing areas in Florida where karst conditions exist. Karst conditions refers to terrain, usually found where limestone or other carbonate rock is present, that may subside or result in a sinkhole collapse when the underlying water table changes; and
 
  •  risks related to operating in a marine environment.
 
These risks could result in substantial losses due to personal injury and/or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other environmental damage and may result in curtailment or suspension of our related operations. A natural disaster or other hazard affecting the areas in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our operations.


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We do not insure against all potential losses and could be seriously harmed by unexpected liabilities.
 
We are not fully insured against all risks inherent to our business. We are not insured against all environmental accidents that might occur. If a significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, it could adversely affect our operations and financial condition. In addition, we may not be able to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates. Changes in the insurance markets subsequent to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have made it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of coverage, and we may elect to self insure a portion of our asset portfolio. In addition, we do not maintain offshore business interruption insurance. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the levels or types of insurance we would otherwise have obtained prior to these market changes or that the insurance coverage we do obtain will not contain large deductibles or fail to cover certain hazards or cover all potential losses. The occurrence of any operating risks not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to you.
 
Our debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other business opportunities.
 
At the closing of this offering we expect to borrow $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt under our new $500 million credit facility. Following this offering, we will continue to have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our credit facility. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:
 
  •  our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms;
 
  •  we will need a substantial portion of our cash flow to make principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operation, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders; and
 
  •  our debt level could make us more vulnerable than our competitors with less debt to competitive pressures or a downturn in our business or the economy generally.
 
Our ability to service our debt will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, our ability to service debt under our revolving credit facility will depend on market interest rates, since we anticipate that the interest rates applicable to our borrowings will fluctuate with movements in interest rate markets. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt, or seeking additional equity capital. We may not be able to effect any of these actions on satisfactory terms, or at all.
 
Restrictions in our credit facility may interrupt distributions to us from our subsidiaries, which will limit our ability to make distributions to you and may limit our ability to capitalize on acquisition and other business opportunities.
 
We are a holding company with no business operations. As such, we depend upon the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries and the distribution of that cash to us in order to meet our obligations and to allow us to make distributions to our unitholders. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit agreement and any future financing agreements could restrict our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to expand or pursue our business activities. For example, we anticipate that our credit agreement will restrict or limit our ability to:
 
  •  make distributions if any default or event of default occurs;


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  •  incur additional indebtedness or guarantee other indebtedness;
 
  •  grant liens or make certain negative pledges;
 
  •  make certain loans or investments;
 
  •  make any material change to the nature of our business, including consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; or
 
  •  enter into a merger, consolidation, sale and leaseback transaction or sale of assets.
 
Furthermore, our credit facility contains covenants requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios and tests. Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our credit agreement may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we violate any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our credit agreement, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable, our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate, and our operating partnership will be prohibited from making any distribution to us and, ultimately, to you. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. Any subsequent replacement of our credit facility or any new indebtedness could have similar or greater restrictions. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Requirements.” Any interruption of distributions to us from our subsidiaries may limit our ability to satisfy our obligations and to make distributions to you.
 
The credit and risk profile of our general partner and its owner, Spectra Energy, could adversely affect our credit ratings and risk profile, which could increase our borrowing costs or hinder our ability to raise capital.
 
The credit and business risk profiles of our general partner and Spectra Energy may be factors considered in credit evaluations of us. This is because our general partner controls our business activities, including our cash distribution policy and acquisition strategy and business risk profile. Another factor that may be considered is the financial condition of Spectra Energy, including the degree of its financial leverage and its dependence on cash flow from the partnership to service its indebtedness.
 
If we were to seek a credit rating in the future, our credit rating may be adversely affected by the leverage of our general partner or Spectra Energy, as credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Moody’s Investors Service may consider the leverage and credit profile of Spectra Energy and its affiliates because of their ownership interest in and control of us and the strong operational links between Spectra Energy and us. Any adverse effect on our credit rating would increase our cost of borrowing or hinder our ability to raise financing in the capital markets, which would impair our ability to grow our business and make distributions to unitholders.
 
Terrorist attacks, and the threat of terrorist attacks, have resulted in increased costs to our business. Continued hostilities in the Middle East or other sustained military campaigns may adversely impact our results of operations.
 
The long-term impact of terrorist attacks and the threat of future terrorist attacks on our industry in general, and on us in particular, is not known at this time. However, the United States government has issued warnings that energy assets, including our nation’s pipeline infrastructure, may be the future target of terrorist organizations. Increased security measures taken by us as a precaution against possible terrorist attacks have resulted in increased costs to our business. Uncertainty surrounding continued hostilities in the Middle East or other sustained military campaigns may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including the possibility that infrastructure facilities could be direct targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror. Any terrorist attack on our facilities or pipelines or those of our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business.


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Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. Moreover, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing insurance coverage. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism or war could also affect our ability to raise capital.
 
If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, or prevent fraud which could have an adverse effect on our business and would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common units.
 
Prior to this offering, our subsidiaries and equity investees were wholly- or partially-owned by Spectra Energy and we have not previously filed reports with the SEC. We will become subject to the public reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 upon the completion of this offering. We produce our combined financial statements in accordance with the requirements of GAAP, but our internal accounting controls may not currently meet all standards applicable to companies with publicly traded securities. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports to prevent fraud and to operate successfully as a publicly traded partnership. Our efforts to develop and maintain our internal controls may not be successful, and we may be unable to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future, including compliance with the obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which we refer to as Section 404. For example, Section 404 will require us, among other things, annually to review and report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm annually to attest to, our internal control over financial reporting. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation or other effective improvement of our internal controls could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls subject us to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of confidence in our reported financial information, which could have an adverse effect on our business and would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common units.
 
Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us
 
Spectra Energy controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Our general partner and its affiliates, including Spectra Energy, have conflicts of interest with us and limited fiduciary duties, and may favor their own interests to your detriment.
 
Following this offering, Spectra Energy will own and control our general partner. Some of our general partner’s directors, and some of its executive officers, are directors or officers of Spectra Energy or its affiliates. Although our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders, the directors and officers of our general partner have a fiduciary duty to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to Spectra Energy. Therefore, conflicts of interest may arise between Spectra Energy and its affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts of interest, our general partner may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
 
  •  neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires Spectra Energy to pursue a business strategy that favors us. Spectra Energy’s directors and officers have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of the owners of Spectra Energy, which may be contrary to our interests;
 
  •  our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Spectra Energy and its affiliates, in resolving conflicts of interest;
 
  •  Spectra Energy and its affiliates are not limited in their ability to compete with us. Please read “— Spectra Energy and its affiliates are not limited in their ability to compete with us”;
 
  •  our general partner may make a determination to receive a quantity of our Class B units in exchange for resetting the target distribution levels related to its incentive distribution rights without the


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  approval of the conflicts committee of our general partner or our unitholders. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions”;
 
  •  some officers of Spectra Energy who provide services to us also will devote significant time to the business of Spectra Energy, and will be compensated by Spectra Energy for the services rendered to it;
 
  •  our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties, and has also restricted the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. By purchasing common units, unitholders will be deemed to have consented to some actions and conflicts of interest that might otherwise constitute a breach of fiduciary or other duties under applicable law;
 
  •  our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, borrowings, issuance of additional partnership securities and reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to unitholders;
 
  •  our general partner determines the amount and timing of any capital expenditures and, based on the applicable facts and circumstances, whether a capital expenditure is classified as a maintenance capital expenditure, which reduces operating surplus, or an expansion capital expenditure, which does not reduce operating surplus. This determination can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders and the ability of the subordinated units to convert to common units;
 
  •  our general partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are reimbursable by us;
 
  •  in some instances, our general partner may cause us to borrow funds in order to permit the payment of cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make a distribution on the subordinated units, to make incentive distributions or to accelerate the expiration of the subordination period;
 
  •  our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;
 
  •  our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other obligations and, in some circumstances, is entitled to be indemnified by us;
 
  •  our general partner may exercise its limited right to call and purchase common units if it and its affiliates own more than 80% of the common units;
 
  •  our general partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by our general partner and its affiliates; and
 
  •  our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.
 
Please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”
 
Affiliates of our general partner, including Spectra Energy, DCP Midstream, LLC and DCP Midstream Partners, LP, are not limited in their ability to compete with us, which could limit our commercial activities or our ability to acquire additional assets or businesses.
 
Neither our partnership agreement nor the omnibus agreement among us, Spectra Energy and others will prohibit affiliates of our general partner, including Spectra Energy, DCP Midstream, LLC and DCP Midstream Partners, LP, from owning assets or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. In addition, Spectra Energy and its affiliates may acquire, construct or dispose of additional transportation and storage or other assets in the future, without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or construct any of those assets. Each of these entities is a large, established participant in the midstream energy business, and each has significantly greater resources and experience than we have, which


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factors may make it more difficult for us to compete with these entities with respect to commercial activities as well as for acquisition candidates. As a result, competition from these entities could adversely impact our results of operations and cash available for distribution. Please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”
 
If you are not an Eligible Holder, you will not be entitled to receive distributions or allocations of income or loss on your common units and your common units will be subject to redemption.
 
In order to comply with certain FERC rate-making policies applicable to entities that pass through their taxable income to their owners, we have adopted certain requirements regarding those investors who may own our common and subordinated units. Eligible Holders are individuals or entities subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us or entities not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to such taxation. Please see “Description of the Common Units — Transfer of Common Units.” If you are not a person who fits the requirements to be an Eligible Holder, you will not receive distributions or allocations of income and loss on your units and you run the risk of having your units redeemed by us at the lower of your purchase price cost or the then-current market price. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner.
 
Cost reimbursements to our general partner and its affiliates for services provided, which will be determined by our general partner, will be substantial and will reduce our cash available for distribution to you.
 
Pursuant to an omnibus agreement we will enter into with Spectra Energy, our general partner and certain of their affiliates upon the closing of this offering, Spectra Energy will receive reimbursement for the payment of operating expenses related to our operations and for the provision of various general and administrative services for our benefit, including costs for rendering administrative staff and support services to us, and overhead allocated to us, which amounts will be determined by our general partner in its sole discretion. Payments for these services will be substantial and will reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders. Please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Omnibus Agreement.” In addition, under Delaware partnership law, our general partner has unlimited liability for our obligations, such as our debts and environmental liabilities, except for our contractual obligations that are expressly made without recourse to our general partner. To the extent our general partner incurs obligations on our behalf, we are obligated to reimburse or indemnify it. If we are unable or unwilling to reimburse or indemnify our general partner, our general partner may take actions to cause us to make payments of these obligations and liabilities. Any such payments could reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
Our partnership agreement limits our general partner’s fiduciary duties to holders of our common units and subordinated units and restricts the remedies available to holders of our common units and subordinated units for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the fiduciary standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty laws. For example, our partnership agreement:
 
  •  permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include the exercise of its limited call right, the exercise of its rights to transfer or vote the units it owns, the exercise of its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership or amendment to the partnership agreement;
 
  •  provides that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith, meaning it believed the decision was in the best interests of our partnership;


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  •  generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner acting in good faith and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or must be “fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by our general partner in good faith and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us;
 
  •  provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was criminal; and
 
  •  provides that in resolving conflicts of interest, it will be presumed that in making its decision the general partner acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or us, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
 
By purchasing a common unit, a common unitholder will agree to become bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. Please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties — Fiduciary Duties.”
 
Our general partner may elect to cause us to issue Class B units to it in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to our general partner’s incentive distribution rights without the approval of the conflicts committee of our general partner or holders of our common units and subordinated units. This may result in lower distributions to holders of our common units in certain situations.
 
Our general partner has the right, at a time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, to reset the initial cash target distribution levels at higher levels based on the distribution at the time of the exercise of the reset election. Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per common unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to correspondingly higher levels based on percentage increases above the reset minimum quarterly distribution amount.
 
In connection with resetting these target distribution levels, our general partner will be entitled to receive a number of Class B units. The Class B units will be entitled to the same cash distributions per unit as our common units and will be convertible into an equal number of common units. The number of Class B units to be issued will be equal to that number of common units whose aggregate quarterly cash distributions equaled the average of the distributions to our general partner on the incentive distribution rights in the prior two quarters. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit without such conversion; however, it is possible that our general partner could exercise this reset election at a time when it is experiencing, or may be expected to experience, declines in the cash distributions it receives related to its incentive distribution rights and may therefore desire to be issued our Class B units, which are entitled to receive cash distributions from us on the same priority as our common units, rather than retain the right to receive incentive distributions based on the initial target distribution levels. As a result, a reset election may cause our common unitholders to experience dilution in the amount of cash distributions that they would have otherwise received had we not issued new Class B units to our general partner in connection with resetting the target distribution levels


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related to our general partner incentive distribution rights. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Related to Cash Distributions — General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights.”
 
Holders of our common units have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect our general partner or its directors, which could reduce the price at which the common units will trade.
 
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business and, therefore, limited ability to influence management’s decisions regarding our business. Unitholders will not elect our general partner or its board of directors, and will have no right to elect our general partner or its board of directors on an annual or other continuing basis. The board of directors of our general partner, including the independent directors, will be chosen entirely by its owners and not by the unitholders. Furthermore, if the unitholders were dissatisfied with the performance of our general partner, they will have little ability to remove our general partner. As a result of these limitations, the price at which the common units will trade could be diminished because of the absence or reduction of a takeover premium in the trading price.
 
Even if holders of our common units are dissatisfied, they cannot initially remove our general partner without its consent.
 
The unitholders will be unable initially to remove our general partner without its consent because our general partner and its affiliates will own sufficient units upon completion of this offering to be able to prevent its removal. The vote of the holders of at least 66 2 / 3 % of all outstanding units voting together as a single class is required to remove the general partner. Following the closing of this offering, our general partner and its affiliates will own 84.3% of our aggregate outstanding common and subordinated units. Also, if our general partner is removed without cause during the subordination period and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal, all remaining subordinated units will automatically convert into common units and any existing arrearages on our common units will be extinguished. A removal of our general partner under these circumstances would adversely affect our common units by prematurely eliminating their distribution and liquidation preference over our subordinated units, which would otherwise have continued until we had met certain distribution and performance tests. Cause is narrowly defined to mean that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the general partner liable for actual fraud or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as our general partner. Cause does not include most cases of charges of poor management of the business, so the removal of the general partner because of the unitholders’ dissatisfaction with our general partner’s performance in managing our partnership will most likely result in the termination of the subordination period and conversion of all subordinated units to common units.
 
Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 20% or more of our common units.
 
Our partnership agreement restricts unitholders’ voting rights by providing that any units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their transferees and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, cannot vote on any matter. Our partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders’ ability to influence the manner or direction of management.
 
We have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our operations and own our operating assets, which may affect our ability to make distributions to you.
 
We are a partnership holding company and our operating subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the ownership interests in our subsidiaries and our equity investments, including Gulfstream and Market Hub. As a result, our ability to make distributions to our unitholders depends on the performance of our subsidiaries and equity investments


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and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of our subsidiaries and joint ventures to make distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, the provisions of existing and future indebtedness, applicable state partnership and limited liability company laws and other laws and regulations, including FERC policies.
 
If we are deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, it would adversely affect the price of our common units and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
Our initial assets will consist of a 100% ownership interest in East Tennessee, a 24.5% limited liability company interest in Gulfstream and a 50% general partner interest in Market Hub. If a sufficient amount of our assets, such as our ownership interests in Gulfstream and Market Hub or other assets acquired in the future, are deemed to be “investment securities” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, we would either have to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, obtain exemptive relief from the Commission or modify our organizational structure or our contract rights to fall outside the definition of an investment company. Although general partner interests are typically not considered “securities” or “investment securities”, there is a risk that our 50% general partner interest in Market Hub could be deemed to be an investment security. In that event, it is possible that our ownership of this interest, combined with our 24.5% interest in Gulfstream or assets acquired in the future, could result in our being required to register under the Investment Company Act if we were not successful in obtaining exemptive relief or otherwise modifying our organizational structure or applicable contract rights. Registering as an investment company could, among other things, materially limit our ability to engage in transactions with affiliates, including the purchase and sale of certain securities or other property to or from our affiliates, restrict our ability to borrow funds or engage in other transactions involving leverage and require us to add additional directors who are independent of us or our affiliates. The occurrence of some or all of these events would adversely affect the price of our common units and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
Control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.
 
Our general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of the unitholders. Furthermore, our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of the owners of our general partner or its parent, from transferring all or a portion of their respective ownership interest in our general partner or its parent to a third party. The new owners of our general partner or its parent would then be in a position to replace the board of directors and officers of its parent with its own choices and thereby influence the decisions taken by the board of directors and officers.
 
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution of $6.85 in tangible net book value per common unit.
 
The estimated initial public offering price of $20.00 per unit exceeds our pro forma net tangible book value of $13.15 per unit. Based on the initial public offering price of $20.00 per unit, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution of $6.85 per common unit. This dilution results primarily because the assets contributed by our general partner and its affiliates are recorded at their historical cost, and not their fair value, in accordance with GAAP. Please read “Dilution.”
 
Increases in interest rates could adversely impact our unit price and our ability to issue additional equity to make acquisitions, incur debt or for other purposes.
 
In recent years, the U.S. credit markets experienced 50-year record lows in interest rates. If the overall economy strengthens, it is possible that monetary policy will tighten, resulting in higher interest rates to counter possible inflation risk. Interest rates on future credit facilities and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. As with other yield-oriented securities, our unit price is impacted by the level of our cash distributions and implied distribution yield. The distribution yield is often used by investors to compare and rank related yield-oriented securities for investment decision-making purposes. Therefore, changes in interest rates may affect the yield requirements


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of investors who invest in our units, and a rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on our unit price and our ability to issue additional equity to make acquisitions, to incur debt or for other purposes.
 
We may issue additional units without your approval, which would dilute your existing ownership interests.
 
Our partnership agreement does not limit the number of additional limited partner interests that we may issue at any time without the approval of our unitholders. The issuance by us of additional common units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
 
  •  each unitholder’s proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;
 
  •  the amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may decrease;
 
  •  because a lower percentage of total outstanding units will be subordinated units, the risk that a shortfall in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution will be borne by our common unitholders will increase;
 
  •  the ratio of taxable income to distributions may increase;
 
  •  the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit may be diminished; and
 
  •  the market price of the common units may decline.
 
Spectra Energy and its affiliates may sell units in the public or private markets, which sales could have an adverse impact on the trading price of the common units.
 
After the sale of the common units offered hereby, Spectra Energy and its affiliates will hold an aggregate of 32,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units. All of the subordinated units will convert into common units at the end of the subordination period, which could occur as early as the first business day after June 30, 2010, and all of the subordinated units may convert into common units by June 30, 2008 if additional tests are satisfied. The sale of any of these units in the public or private markets could have an adverse impact on the price of the common units or on any trading market that may develop.
 
Our general partner has a limited call right that may require you to sell your units at an undesirable time or price.
 
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the common units, our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price. As a result, you may be required to sell your common units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on your investment. You may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of your units. At the completion of this offering and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units, our general partner and its affiliates will own approximately 76.7% of our outstanding common units. At the end of the subordination period, assuming no additional issuances of common units (other than for the conversion of the subordinated units into common units), our general partner and its affiliates will own approximately 84.3% of our aggregate outstanding common units. For additional information about this right, please read “The Partnership Agreement — Limited Call Right.”
 
Your liability may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.
 
A general partner of a partnership generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly made without recourse to the general partner. Our partnership is organized under Delaware law and we conduct business in a number of other states. The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some of the other states in which


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we do business. You could be liable for any and all of our obligations as if you were a general partner if a court or government agency determined that:
 
  •  we were conducting business in a state but had not complied with that particular state’s partnership statute; or
 
  •  your right to act with other unitholders to remove or replace the general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement or to take other actions under our partnership agreement constitute “control” of our business.
 
For a discussion of the implications of the limitations of liability on a unitholder, please read “The Partnership Agreement — Limited Liability.”
 
Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them.
 
Under certain circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to you if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Delaware law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Substituted limited partners are liable for the obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership that are known to the substituted limited partner at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
 
There is no existing market for our common units, and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop.
 
Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the common units. After the offering, there will be only 10,000,000 publicly traded common units, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units. We do not know the extent to which investor interest will lead to the development of a trading market or how liquid that market might be. You may not be able to resell your common units at or above the initial public offering price. Additionally, the lack of liquidity may result in wide bid-ask spreads, contribute to significant fluctuations in the market price of the common units and limit the number of investors who are able to buy the common units.
 
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly-traded partnership.
 
We have no history operating as a publicly-traded partnership. As a publicly-traded partnership, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, have required changes in corporate governance practices of publicly-traded entities. We expect these new rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, as a result of becoming a publicly-traded partnership, we are required to have at least three independent directors, create additional board committees and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, including the preparation of reports on internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our publicly-traded company reporting requirements. We also expect these new rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for our general partner to obtain director and officer liability insurance and it may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for our general partner to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on its board of directors or as executive officers. We will incur approximately $5.5 million of estimated incremental costs associated with being a publicly-traded partnership for purposes of our Statement of Minimum Estimated Cash Available for Distribution included elsewhere in this


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prospectus; however, it is possible that our actual incremental costs of being a publicly-traded partnership will be higher than we currently estimate.
 
Tax Risks to Common Unitholders
 
In addition to reading the following risk factors, you should read “Material Tax Consequences” for a more complete discussion of the expected material federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of common units.
 
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation by individual states. If the Internal Revenue Service treats us as a corporation or we become subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, it would substantially reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our common units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested, and do not plan to request, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, on this or any other tax matter affecting us.
 
If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would pay federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35% and would likely pay state income tax at varying rates. Distributions to you would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses or deductions would flow through to you. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available for distribution to you would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to the unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.
 
Current law may change so as to cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. In addition, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. We will, for example, be subject to a new entity-level tax on the portion of our income that is generated in Texas. Specifically, the Texas margin tax will be imposed at a maximum effective rate of 0.7% of our gross income apportioned to Texas. The imposition of such a tax on us by Texas, or any other state, will reduce the cash available for distribution to you.
 
Our partnership agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that subjects us to taxation as a corporation or otherwise subjects us to entity-level taxation for federal, state or local income tax purposes, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels may be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on us.
 
An IRS contest of the federal income tax positions we take may adversely affect the market for our common units, and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the conclusions of our counsel expressed in this prospectus or from the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of our counsel’s conclusions or the positions we take. A court may not agree with all of our counsel’s conclusions or positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units and the price at which they trade. In addition, our costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution.


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You may be required to pay taxes on your share of our income even if you do not receive any cash distributions from us.
 
Because our unitholders will be treated as partners to whom we will allocate taxable income which could be different in amount than the cash we distribute, you will be required to pay any federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes on your share of our taxable income even if you receive no cash distributions from us. You may not receive cash distributions from us equal to your share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from that income.
 
Tax gain or loss on disposition of our common units could be more or less than expected.
 
If you sell your common units, you will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in those common units. Because distributions in excess of your allocable share of our net taxable income decrease your tax basis in your common units, the amount, if any, of such prior excess distributions with respect to the common units you sell will, in effect, become taxable income to you if you sell such common units at a price greater than your tax basis, even if the price you receive is less than your original cost. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. In addition, because the amount realized includes your share of our nonrecourse liabilities, if you sell your units, you may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash you receive from the sale. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss” for a further discussion of the foregoing.
 
Tax-exempt entities and foreign persons face unique tax issues from owning common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
 
Investment in common units by tax-exempt entities, such as individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs), other retirement plans and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations that are exempt from federal income tax, including IRAs and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be reduced by withholding taxes at the highest applicable effective tax rate, and non-U.S. persons will be required to file United States federal tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a foreign person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units.
 
We will treat each purchaser of our common units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the actual common units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.
 
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units and because of other reasons, we will adopt depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform to all aspects of existing U.S. Treasury Regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to you. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from your sale of our common units and could have a negative impact on the value of our common units or result in audit adjustments to your tax returns. For a further discussion of the effect of the depreciation and amortization positions we will adopt, please read “Material Tax Consequences — Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.”
 
We have adopted certain valuation methodologies that may result in a shift of income, gain, loss and deduction between the general partner and the unitholders. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.
 
When we issue additional units or engage in certain other transactions, we determine the fair market value of our assets and allocate any unrealized gain or loss attributable to our assets to the capital accounts of our unitholders and our general partner. Our methodology may be viewed as understating the value of


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our assets. In that case, there may be a shift of income, gain, loss and deduction between certain unitholders and the general partner, which may be unfavorable to such unitholders. Moreover, subsequent purchasers of common units may have a greater portion of their Internal Revenue Code Section 743(b) adjustment allocated to our tangible assets and a lesser portion allocated to our intangible assets. The IRS may challenge our valuation methods, or our allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to our tangible and intangible assets, and allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction between the general partner and certain of our unitholders.
 
A successful IRS challenge to these methods or allocations could adversely affect the amount of taxable income or loss being allocated to our unitholders. It also could affect the amount of gain from our unitholders’ sale of common units and could have a negative impact on the value of the common units or result in audit adjustments to our unitholders’ tax returns without the benefit of additional deductions.
 
The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.
 
We will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units — Constructive Termination” for a discussion of the consequences of our termination for federal income tax purposes.
 
You will likely be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states where you do not live as a result of investing in our common units.
 
In addition to federal income taxes, you will likely be subject to other taxes, including foreign, state and local taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property, even if you do not live in any of those jurisdictions. You will likely be required to file foreign, state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of these jurisdictions. Further, you may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. We will initially own assets and do business in the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Each of these states, other than Texas and Florida, currently imposes a personal income tax on individuals. A majority of these states impose an income tax on corporations and other entities. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own assets or conduct business in additional states that impose an income tax. It is your responsibility to file all United States federal, foreign, state and local tax returns. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion on the foreign, state or local tax consequences of an investment in the common units.


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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $187.5 million (based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per common unit) after deducting underwriting discounts but before paying expenses associated with the offering and related formation transactions. We anticipate using the aggregate net proceeds of this offering to:
 
  •  purchase approximately $145.3 million of qualifying investment grade securities, which will be assigned as collateral to secure the term loan portion of our credit facility;
 
  •  pay approximately $7.2 million of expenses associated with the offering and related formation transactions; and
 
  •  distribute $25.0 million in cash to subsidiaries of Spectra Energy as reimbursement for capital expenditures incurred by subsidiaries of Spectra Energy prior to this offering related to the assets to be contributed to us upon the closing of this offering, which distribution will be made in partial consideration of the assets contributed to us upon the closing of this offering; and
 
  •  use the remaining proceeds of $10.0 million to fund working capital.
 
We have entered into a $500 million credit facility under which we expect to borrow approximately $145.3 million in term debt and approximately $125 million in revolving debt in connection with the closing of this offering. We will distribute the aggregate amount of the proceeds of such borrowings to subsidiaries of Spectra Energy, which distribution will be made in partial consideration of the assets contributed to us upon the closing of this offering. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Distributions and Payments to our General Partner and its Affiliates.”
 
The qualifying securities we will purchase will be assigned as collateral to secure the term loan borrowings. The interest we receive from our ownership of these securities will partially offset our cost of borrowings under the term loan facility. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Requirements — Description of Credit Agreement.”
 
If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units is exercised in full, we will (1) use the net proceeds of $28.1 million from the sale of these additional securities to purchase an equivalent amount of qualifying investment grade securities and (2) borrow an additional amount of term debt equal to the net proceeds to be received from the exercise of the underwriters’ option. The qualifying securities purchased will be assigned as collateral to secure such additional term loan borrowings. The proceeds of the additional term loan borrowings will be used to redeem from a subsidiary of Spectra Energy a number of common units equal to the number of common units issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ option, at a price per common unit equal to the proceeds per common unit before expenses but after underwriting discounts and a structuring fee.


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CAPITALIZATION
 
The following table shows:
 
  •  our capitalization as of March 31, 2007; and
 
  •  our pro forma capitalization as of March 31, 2007, as adjusted to reflect this offering, the other transactions described under “Summary — Formation Transactions and Partnership Structure — General” and the application of the net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds.”
 
We derived this table from, and it should be read in conjunction with and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our historical and pro forma financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should also read this table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” This table does not reflect any indebtedness associated with our equity investment in Gulfstream, which amount is included in the historical financial statements and the accompanying notes of Gulfstream included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
                 
    As of March 31, 2007  
    Historical     Pro Forma  
    (In thousands)  
 
Long-term debt:
               
Revolving borrowings
  $     $ 125,000  
Term borrowings (a)
          145,263  
East Tennessee
    150,000       150,000  
                 
Total long-term debt
  $ 150,000     $ 420,263  
                 
Partners’ capital/parent net investment:
               
Net parent equity
  $ 983,989     $  
Common units — public
          181,246  
Common units — sponsor
          470,678  
Subordinated units — sponsor
          297,687  
General partner interest
          18,604  
                 
Total partners’ capital/parent net investment
    984,081       968,215  
                 
Total capitalization
  $ 1,133,989     $ 1,388,478  
                 
 
 
(a) Our initial term borrowings will be collateralized by $145.3 million in qualifying investment grade securities not included in the capitalization table shown above. Please see “Use of Proceeds.”


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DILUTION
 
Dilution is the amount by which the offering price paid by the purchasers of common units sold in this offering will exceed the pro forma net tangible book value per unit after the offering. Assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per common unit, on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2007, after giving effect to the offering of common units and the application of the related net proceeds, our net tangible book value was $853.6 million, or $13.15 per common unit. Net tangible book value excludes $118.3 million of goodwill. Purchasers of common units in this offering will experience substantial and immediate dilution in net tangible book value per common unit for financial accounting purposes, as illustrated in the following table:
 
                 
Assumed initial public offering price per common unit
          $ 20.00  
Net tangible book value per common unit before the offering(a)
  $ 15.83          
Decrease in net tangible book value per common unit attributable to purchasers in the offering
    (2.68 )        
                 
Less: Pro forma net tangible book value per common unit after the offering(b)
            13.15  
                 
Immediate dilution in tangible net book value per common unit to purchasers in the offering
          $ (6.85 )
                 
 
(a) Determined by dividing the number of units and general partner units (32,844,733 common units, 20,773,204 subordinated units and 1,298,325 general partner units) to be issued to a subsidiary of Spectra Energy for its contribution of assets and liabilities to Spectra Energy Partners, LP into the net tangible book value of the contributed assets and liabilities.
 
(b) Determined by dividing the total number of units and general partner units to be outstanding after the offering (42,844,733 common units, 20,773,204 subordinated units and 1,298,325 general partner units) and the application of the related net proceeds into our pro forma net tangible book value, after giving effect to the application of the expected net proceeds of the offering.
 
The following table sets forth the number of units that we will issue and the total consideration contributed to us by our general partner and its affiliates and by the purchasers of common units in this offering:
 
                                 
    Units Acquired     Total Consideration  
    Number     Percent     Amount     Percent  
                (In thousands)  
 
General partner and affiliates(a)(b)
    54,916,262       84.6 %   $ 786,969       79.7 %
New investors
    10,000,000       15.4 %     200,000       20.3 %
                                 
Total
    64,916,262       100.0 %   $ 986,969       100.0 %
                                 
 
(a) The common and subordinated units and general partner units acquired by our general partner and its affiliates consist of 32,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units and 1,298,325 general partner units.
 
(b) The assets contributed by our general partner and its affiliates were recorded at historical cost in accordance with GAAP. Book value of the consideration provided by our general partner and its affiliates, as of March 31, 2007, after giving effect to the application of the net proceeds of this offering is as follows:
 
 
The following table shows the investment of Spectra Energy in us after giving effect to this offering and related formation transactions. Please see our unaudited pro forma balance sheet for a more complete presentation of the adjustments associated with this offering and the related formation transactions.
 
         
    (In thousands)  
 
Parent net investment
  $ 983,989  
Less: Payment to affiliates of our general partner from the net proceeds of the offering and borrowings under the credit facility
    (295,300 )
Plus: Retention by Spectra Energy of accounts receivable, tax related accounts, and certain Market Hub assets
    103,847  
Less: Contribution to Market Hub from Spectra Energy for funds swept for security deposits
    (5,566 )
         
Total consideration
  $ 786,969  
         


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OUR CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS
 
You should read the following discussion of our cash distribution policy in conjunction with specific assumptions included in this section. For more detailed information regarding the factors and assumptions upon which our cash distribution policy is based, please read “Assumptions and Considerations” below. In addition, you should read “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” for information regarding statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and certain risks inherent in our business.
 
For additional information regarding our historical and pro forma operating results, you should refer to our historical audited combined financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, and to our historical unaudited combined financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007; and our unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
General
 
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy.   Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders will be better served by our distributing our cash available after expenses and reserves rather than retaining it. Because we believe we will generally finance any capital investments from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by our distributing all of our available cash. Because we are not subject to an entity-level federal income tax, we have more cash to distribute to you than would be the case were we subject to tax. Our cash distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of our available cash quarterly.
 
Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy.   There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy may be changed at any time and is subject to certain restrictions, including:
 
  •  Our cash distribution policy is subject to restrictions on distributions under our new credit facility. Specifically, the agreement related to our credit facility contains material financial tests and covenants that we must satisfy. These financial tests and covenants are described in this prospectus under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Requirements — Description of Credit Agreement.” Should we be unable to satisfy these restrictions under our credit facility or if we are otherwise in default under our credit facility, we would be prohibited from making cash distributions to you notwithstanding our stated cash distribution policy.
 
  •  Our board of directors will have the authority to establish reserves for the prudent conduct of our business and for future cash distributions to our unitholders, and the establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction in cash distributions to you from the levels we currently anticipate pursuant to our stated distribution policy.
 
  •  While our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash, our partnership agreement, including provisions requiring us to make cash distributions contained therein, may be amended. Although during the subordination period, with certain exceptions, our partnership agreement may not be amended without the approval of the public common unitholders, our partnership agreement can be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units and any Class B units issued upon the reset of incentive distribution rights, if any, voting as a class (including common units held by affiliates of Spectra Energy) after the subordination period has ended. At the closing of this offering, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy will own our general partner and approximately 84.3% of our outstanding common units and subordinated units.
 
  •  Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions we pay under our cash distribution policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.


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  •  Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to you if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.
 
  •  We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to increases in our operating or general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, tax expenses, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs. Our cash available for distribution to unitholders is directly impacted by our cash expenses necessary to run our business and will be reduced dollar-for-dollar to the extent that such uses of cash increase. Please read “Provisions of our partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions — Distributions of Available Cash.”
 
  •  We own a 24.5% interest in Gulfstream, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy owns a 25.5% interest and a subsidiary of The Williams Companies owns the remaining 50.0% interest. Gulfstream is required by the terms of its limited liability company agreement to make quarterly cash distributions equal to 100% of its available cash, which is defined to include Gulfstream’s cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter less any reserves that may be deemed appropriate by the Gulfstream management committee for the operation of Gulfstream’s business (including reserves for its future maintenance capital expenditures and for its anticipated future credit needs) or for its compliance with law or other agreements. The management committee representative of Spectra Energy and The Williams Companies will jointly make the determinations related to Gulfstream’s available cash. The limited liability company agreement of Gulfstream may not be amended without the approval of Spectra Energy, The Williams Companies and us. Please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Contracts with Affiliates — Gulfstream Limited Liability Company Agreement.”
 
  •  We own a 50.0% interest in Market Hub and a subsidiary of Spectra Energy owns the other 50.0% interest. Market Hub is required by the terms of its general partnership agreement to make quarterly cash distributions equal to 100% of its available cash, which is defined to include Market Hub’s cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter less any reserves that may be deemed appropriate by the Market Hub management committee for the operation of Market Hub’s business (including reserves for its future maintenance capital expenditures and for its anticipated future credit needs) or for its compliance with law or other agreements. The management committee representative of Spectra Energy and us will jointly make the determinations related to Market Hub’s available cash. The general partnership agreement of Market Hub may not be amended without the approval of Spectra Energy and us. Please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Contracts with Affiliates — Market Hub General Partnership Agreement.”
 
Our Ability to Grow is Dependent on Our Ability to Access External Expansion Capital.   We will distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders on a quarterly basis. As a result, we expect that we will rely primarily upon external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund our acquisitions and expansion capital expenditures. To the extent we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash distribution policy will significantly impair our ability to grow. In addition, because we distribute all of our available cash, our growth may not be as fast as businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations. To the extent we issue additional units in connection with any acquisitions or expansion capital expenditures, the payment of distributions on those additional units may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per unit distribution level, which in turn may impact the available cash that we have to distribute on each unit. There are no limitations in our partnership agreement or our credit facility on our ability to issue additional units, including units ranking senior to the common units. The incurrence of additional commercial borrowings or other debt to finance our growth strategy would result in increased interest expense, which in turn may impact the available cash that we have to distribute to our unitholders.


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Our Initial Distribution Rate
 
Upon completion of this offering, the board of directors of our general partner will adopt a policy pursuant to which we will declare an initial quarterly distribution of $0.3125 per unit per complete quarter, or $1.25 per unit per year, to be paid no later than 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2007) through the quarter ending June 30, 2008. This equates to an aggregate cash distribution of $20.3 million per quarter or $81.1 million per year, in each case based on the number of common units, subordinated units and general partner units outstanding immediately after completion of this offering. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units is exercised, an equivalent number of common units will be redeemed. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units is exercised, we will (1) use the net proceeds from the sale of these additional securities to purchase an equivalent amount of qualifying investment grade securities and (2) borrow an additional amount of term debt equal to the net proceeds to be received from the exercise of the underwriters’ option. The qualifying securities purchased will be assigned as collateral to secure such additional term loan borrowings. The proceeds of the additional term loan borrowings will be used to redeem from our general partner a number of common units equal to the number of common units issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ option, at a price per common unit equal to the proceeds per common unit before expenses but after underwriting discounts and a structuring fee. Accordingly, the exercise of the underwriters’ option will not affect the total amount of units outstanding or the amount of cash needed to pay the initial distribution rate on all units. Our ability to make cash distributions at the initial distribution rate pursuant to this policy will be subject to the factors described above under the caption “— Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy.”
 
The table below sets forth the assumed number of outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units upon the closing of this offering and the aggregate distribution amounts payable on such units during the year following the closing of this offering at our initial distribution rate of $0.3125 per common unit per quarter ($1.25 per common unit on an annualized basis).
 
                         
          Distributions  
    Number of Units     One Quarter     Four Quarters  
 
Publicly held common units
    10,000,000     $ 3,125,000     $ 12,500,000  
Common units held by Spectra Energy
    32,844,733       10,263,979       41,055,916  
Subordinated units held by Spectra Energy
    20,773,204       6,491,626       25,966,505  
General partner units held by Spectra Energy
    1,298,325       405,727       1,622,906  
                         
Total
    64,916,262     $ 20,286,332     $ 81,145,328  
                         
 
As of the date of this offering, our general partner will be entitled to 2% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. The general partner’s initial 2% interest in these distributions may be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not elect to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its initial 2% general partner interest.
 
The subordination period will generally end if we have earned and paid at least $1.25 (the minimum quarterly distribution on an annualized basis) on each outstanding limited partner unit and general partner unit for any three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods ending on or after June 30, 2010. Alternatively, if we have earned and paid at least $0.4688 per quarter (150% of the minimum quarterly distribution, which is $1.8752 on an annualized basis) on each outstanding limited partner unit and general partner unit for any four-quarter periods ending on or after June 30, 2008, the subordination period will terminate automatically. In addition, the subordination period will end if our general partner is removed without cause and the units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal. When the subordination period ends, all remaining subordinated units will convert into an equal number of common units, and the common units will no longer be entitled to arrearages.
 
If distributions on our common units are not paid with respect to any fiscal quarter at the initial distribution rate, our unitholders will not be entitled to receive such payments in the future except that during the subordination period, to the extent we have available cash in any future quarter in excess of the


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amount necessary to make cash distributions to holders of our common units at the initial distribution rate, we will use this excess available cash to pay these deficiencies related to prior quarters before any cash distribution is made to holders of subordinated units. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions — Subordination Period.”
 
We do not have a legal obligation to pay distributions at our initial distribution rate or at any other rate except as provided in our partnership agreement. Our distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of our available cash quarterly. Under our partnership agreement, available cash is defined to generally mean, for each fiscal quarter, cash generated from our business in excess of the amount of reserves our general partner determines is necessary or appropriate to provide for the conduct of our business, to comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements or to provide for future distributions to our unitholders for any one or more of the upcoming four quarters.
 
Our partnership agreement provides that any determination made by our general partner in its capacity as our general partner must be made in good faith and that any such determination will not be subject to any other standard imposed by our partnership agreement, the Delaware limited partnership statute or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Holders of our common units may pursue judicial action to enforce provisions of our partnership agreement, including those related to requirements to make cash distributions as described above; however, our partnership agreement provides that our general partner is entitled to make the determinations described above without regard to any standard other than the requirements to act in good faith. Our partnership agreement provides that, in order for a determination by our general partner to be made in “good faith,” our general partner must believe that the determination is in our best interests. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.”
 
Our cash distribution policy, as expressed in our partnership agreement, may not be modified or repealed without amending our partnership agreement; however, the actual amount of our cash distributions for any quarter is subject to fluctuations based on the amount of cash we generate from our business and the amount of reserves our general partner establishes in accordance with our partnership agreement as described above. Our partnership agreement may be amended with the approval of our general partner and holders of a majority of our outstanding common units and any Class B units issued upon the reset of the incentive distribution rights, voting together as a class.
 
We will pay our distributions on or about the 15th day of each of February, May, August and November to holders of record on or about the 1st day of each such month. If the distribution date does not fall on a business day, we will make the distribution on the business day immediately preceding the indicated distribution date. We will adjust the quarterly distribution for the period from the closing of this offering through September 30, 2007 based on the actual length of the period.
 
In the sections that follow, we present in detail the basis for our belief that we will be able to fully fund our initial distribution rate of $0.3125 per unit each quarter through the quarter ending June 30, 2008. In those sections, we present two tables, consisting of:
 
  •  “Unaudited Pro Forma Cash Available for Distribution,” in which we present the amount of cash we would have had available for distribution for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007 derived from our unaudited pro forma financial statements that are included in this prospectus, which unaudited pro forma financial statements are based on the audited historical combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, as adjusted to give pro forma effect to:
 
  —  the transactions to be completed as of the closing of this offering, including our incurrence of approximately $145.3 million of term borrowings and $125 million of revolving borrowings under our new $500 million credit facility; and
 
  —  this offering and the application of the net proceeds as described under “Use of Proceeds.”


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  •  “Statement of Minimum Estimated Cash Available for Distribution,” in which we demonstrate our anticipated ability to generate the minimum estimated cash available for distribution necessary for us to pay distributions at the initial distribution rate on all units for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
Unaudited Pro Forma Cash Available for Distribution for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2007
 
If we had completed the transactions contemplated in this prospectus on January 1, 2006, pro forma cash available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006 would have been approximately $65.8 million. This amount would have been sufficient to make a cash distribution for 2006 at the initial rate of $0.3125 per unit per quarter (or $1.25 per unit on an annualized basis) on all of the common units but only 42% of the minimum quarterly distribution on the subordinated units.
 
If we had completed the transactions contemplated in this prospectus on April 1, 2006, our pro forma available cash for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007 would have been approximately $80.2 million. This amount would have been sufficient to make a cash distribution for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007 at the initial distribution rate of $0.3125 per unit per quarter (or $1.25 per unit on an annualized basis) on all of the common units but only 97% of the minimum quarterly distribution on the subordinated units.
 
Unaudited pro forma cash available for distribution from operating surplus includes incremental general and administrative expense we will incur as a result of being a publicly traded limited partnership, including compensation and benefit expenses of our executive management personnel, costs associated with annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, independent auditor fees, investor relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs and director compensation. We expect our incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly-traded partnership to total approximately $5.5 million per year. Our incremental general and administrative expense is not reflected in our historical or pro forma net income for 2006 or for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Corporate general and administrative costs allocated to us by Spectra Energy’s predecessor company totaled $2.7 million in 2006 and $0.5 million at March 31, 2007, and are already reflected in our historical results for 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
The following table illustrates, on a pro forma basis, for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007 the amount of available cash that would have been available for distributions to our unitholders, assuming in each case that this offering had been consummated at the beginning of such period. Each of the pro forma adjustments presented below is explained in the footnotes to such adjustments.
 
We based the pro forma adjustments upon currently available information and specific estimates and assumptions. The pro forma amounts below do not purport to present our results of operations had the transactions contemplated in this prospectus actually been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, cash available to pay distributions is primarily a cash accounting concept, while our pro forma financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis. As a result, you should view the amount of pro forma cash available for distribution only as a general indication of the amount of cash available to pay distributions that we might have generated had we been formed in earlier periods.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CASH AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION
 
                 
    Year Ended
    Twelve Months
 
    December 31,
    Ended March 31,
 
    2006     2007  
    ($ thousands, except per unit data)  
 
Pro Forma Net Income(a)
  $ 62,615     $ 72,325  
Add:
               
Interest expense, net(b)
    25,133       25,222  
Income tax expense(b)
    453       3,974  
Depreciation and amortization(b)
    18,986       19,201  
Less:
               
Interest income
    7,716       7,721  
Equity in earnings of Gulfstream(c)
    16,763       18,620  
Equity in earnings of Market Hub(c)
    24,342       26,811  
Other income (expense), net(b)
    1,765       1,442  
                 
Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA(d)
  $ 56,601     $ 66,128  
                 
Add:
               
Pro forma cash available for distribution from Gulfstream(e)
    23,800       25,482  
Pro forma cash available for distribution from Market Hub(f)
    19,500       22,285  
Less:
               
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a public company(g)
    5,500       5,500  
Pro forma net cash paid for interest expense(h)
    17,672       17,675  
Maintenance capital expenditures(i)
    10,933       10,475  
                 
Pro forma cash available for distribution
    65,796       80,245  
                 
Pro forma cash distributions
               
Distributions per unit(j)
  $ 1.25     $ 1.25  
Distributions to public common unitholders(j)
    12,500       12,500  
Distributions to Spectra Energy(j)
    68,645       68,645  
                 
Total distributions(j)
  $ 81,145     $ 81,145  
                 
Excess (shortfall)
  $ (15,349 )   $ (900 )
                 
Interest coverage ratio(k)
    5.4 x     6.2 x
Leverage ratio(k)
    3.8 x     3.3 x
 
 
(a) Reflects net income of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor derived from its historical combined financial statements for the periods indicated giving pro forma effect to the offering and the related transactions.
 
(b) Reflects adjustments to reconcile pro forma net income to pro forma Adjusted EBITDA.
 
(c) Reflects an adjustment to our Adjusted EBITDA for the elimination of Gulfstream and Market Hub’s equity earnings.
 
(d) Our Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization less our equity earnings in Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income and other income (expenses), net, which primarily consists of a non-cash allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, and certain other items such as insurance recoveries. We have provided Adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus because we believe it provides investors with additional information to measure our financial performance and liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and is defined differently by different companies in our industry, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a


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substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Please read “Summary — Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data — Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
 
(e) Pro forma cash available for distribution from Gulfstream for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, is calculated as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended
    Twelve Months
 
    December 31,
    Ended March 31,
 
Gulfstream
  2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net income
  $ 68,422     $ 76,021  
Add:
               
Interest expense
    48,787       48,700  
Depreciation and amortization
    30,406       30,444  
Less:
               
Other income (expenses), net
    431       980  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 147,184     $ 154,185  
                 
Less:
               
Net cash paid for interest expense
    49,423       49,423  
Maintenance capital expenditures
    617       752  
                 
Pro forma cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 97,144     $ 104,010  
                 
Pro forma cash available for distribution — our 24.5%
  $ 23,800     $ 25,482  
                 
 
(f) Pro forma cash available for distribution from Market Hub for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, is calculated as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended
    Twelve Months
 
    December 31,
    Ended March 31,
 
Market Hub
  2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net income
  $ 48,684     $ 53,742  
Add:
               
Interest expense
    2,636       3,625  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,815       8,026  
Less:
               
Interest income
    11       13  
Other income (expenses), net
    10,553       10,711  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 48,571     $ 54,669  
                 
Less:
               
Net cash paid for interest expense
    43       43  
Maintenance capital expenditures
    9,528       10,056  
                 
Pro forma cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 39,000     $ 44,571  
                 
Pro forma cash available for distribution — our 50.0%
  $ 19,500     $ 22,285  
                 
 
(g) Reflects an adjustment to our adjusted EBITDA for an estimated incremental cash expense associated with being a publicly traded limited partnership, including compensation and benefit expenses of our executive management personnel, costs associated with annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, independent auditor fees, investor relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs and director compensation.


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(h) Reflects on a net basis the interest expense related to borrowings under our credit facility made in connection with this offering and the interest income related to the long-term investments we intend to purchase with a portion of the proceeds from this offering.
 
(i) Maintenance capital expenditures are capital expenditures made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets, to maintain the existing operating capacity of our assets and to extend their useful lives, or other capital expenditures that are incurred in maintaining existing system volumes and related cash flows.
 
In addition, we made expansion capital expenditures of $75.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $25.0 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2007. Expansion capital expenditures are made to acquire additional assets to grow our business, to expand and upgrade our systems and facilities and to construct or acquire similar systems or facilities. These expenditures were assumed to be funded by cash contributions from our parent, Spectra Energy, and are not included in our pro forma cash available for distribution calculation.
 
(j) The table below sets forth the assumed number of outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units upon the closing of this offering and the estimated per unit and aggregate distribution amounts payable on our common units, subordinated units and general partner units for four quarters at our initial distribution rate of $0.3125 per common unit per quarter ($1.25 per common unit on an annualized basis).
 
                         
          Distribution for
 
    Number of
    Four Quarters  
    Units     Per Unit     Aggregate  
 
Pro forma distributions on publicly held common units
    10,000,000     $ 1.25     $ 12,500,000  
Pro forma distributions on common units held by Spectra Energy
    32,844,733       1.25       41,055,916  
Pro forma distribution on subordinated units held by Spectra Energy
    20,773,204       1.25       25,966,505  
Pro forma distribution on general partner units
    1,298,325       1.25       1,622,906  
                         
Total
    64,916,262     $ 1.25     $ 81,145,327  
                         
 
(k) In connection with the closing of this offering, we will enter into a $500 million credit agreement under which we expect to borrow $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt. We expect that the credit agreement will contain covenants limiting our ability to make distributions, incur indebtedness, grant liens, and engage in transactions with affiliates, which covenants may be modified or eliminated upon our receipt of an investment grade rating.
 
In addition, the credit agreement will contain financial covenants requiring us to maintain:
 
• an interest coverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA to our consolidated interest expense (net of interest income), in each case as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 2.5 to 1.0, determined as of the last day of each quarter for the four-quarter period ending on the date of determination; and
 
• a leverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated indebtedness to our consolidated EBITDA, in each case as defined in the credit agreement) of not more than 5.0 to 1.0 (or, on a temporary basis for not more than three consecutive quarters following the consummation of certain acquisitions, not more than 5.5 to 1.0).
 
On a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007, we would have been in compliance with these covenants.
 
If an event of default exists under the credit agreement, we expect that the lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of the credit agreement and exercise other rights and remedies. The credit agreement is subject to a number of conditions, including the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive documentation.


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Minimum Estimated Cash Available for Distribution for the Twelve-Month Period Ending June 30, 2008
 
Set forth below is a Statement of Minimum Estimated Cash Available for Distribution that reflects our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to make the minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding units for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable. These assumptions include adjustments to reflect this offering, the other transactions described under “Summary — Formation Transactions and Partnership Structure — General” and the application of the net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds.” Cash available for distribution is defined as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization, less our equity earnings in Gulfstream and Market Hub and plus distributions received from Gulfstream and Market Hub and other income, net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries.
 
Our minimum estimated cash available for distribution reflects our judgment as of the date of this prospectus of conditions we expect to exist and the course of action we expect to take during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. The assumptions disclosed below under “Assumptions and Considerations” are those that we believe are significant to our ability to generate our minimum estimated cash available for distribution. We believe our actual results of operations and cash flows will be sufficient to generate our minimum estimated cash available for distribution; however, we can give you no assurance that our minimum estimated cash available for distribution will be achieved. There will likely be differences between our minimum estimated cash available for distribution and our actual results and those differences could be material. If we fail to generate the minimum estimated cash available for distribution, we may not be able to pay cash distributions on our common units at the initial distribution rate stated in our cash distribution policy. In order to fund distributions to our unitholders at our initial rate of $1.25 per common unit for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, our Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 must be at least $55.2 million and our cash distributions from Gulfstream and Market Hub must be at least $56.7 million in the aggregate. As set forth in the table below and as further explained under “— Assumptions and Considerations,” we believe our operations will produce minimum estimated cash available for distribution of $81.1 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
We do not as a matter of course make public projections as to future operations, earnings, or other results. However, management has prepared the minimum estimated cash available for distribution and assumptions set forth below to substantiate our belief that we will have sufficient cash available to make the minimum quarterly distribution to our unitholders for twelve months ending June 30, 2008. The accompanying prospective financial information was not prepared with a view toward complying with the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with respect to prospective financial information, but, in the view of our management, was prepared on a reasonable basis, reflects the best currently available estimates and judgments, and presents, to the best of management’s knowledge and belief, the assumptions on which we base our belief that we can generate the minimum estimated cash available for distribution necessary for us to have sufficient cash available for distribution to pay the minimum quarterly distribution to all of our unitholders. However, this information is not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and readers of this prospectus are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the prospective financial information.
 
Neither our independent auditors, nor any other independent accountants, have compiled, examined, or performed any procedures with respect to the prospective financial information contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability, and assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, the prospective financial information.
 
When considering our minimum estimated cash available for distribution you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements under “Risk Factors.” Any of the risks discussed in this prospectus could cause our actual results of operations to vary significantly from those supporting our minimum estimated available cash.
 
We are providing our minimum estimated cash available for distribution and related assumptions to supplement our pro forma and historical financial statements in support of our belief that we will have


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sufficient available cash to allow us to pay cash distributions on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units for each quarter in the twelve month period ending June 30, 2008 at our stated initial distribution rate. Please read below under “Assumptions and Considerations” for further information as to the assumptions we have made for the preparation of our minimum estimated cash available for distribution.
 
Actual payments of distributions on common units, subordinated units and the general partner units are expected to be $81.1 million for the twelve month period ending June 30, 2008. This is the expected aggregate amount of cash distributions of $20.3 million per quarter for the period. Quarterly distributions will be paid within 45 days after the close of each quarter.
 
We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly the results of any future revisions we may make to the assumptions used in generating our minimum estimated cash available for distribution or to update those assumptions to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.
 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
STATEMENT OF
MINIMUM ESTIMATED CASH AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION
 
         
    Twelve months
 
    ending June 30,
 
    2008  
    (In thousands,
 
    except per
 
    unit data)  
 
Operating revenues
  $ 103,078  
Operating expenses:
       
Operations, maintenance and other
    36,924  
Depreciation and amortization
    21,548  
Property and other taxes
    7,294  
         
Total operating expenses
    65,766  
         
Operating income
    37,312  
         
Add:
       
Equity earnings of Gulfstream
    22,114  
Equity earnings of Market Hub
    31,535  
Interest income(a)
    8,353  
Less:
       
Interest expense(b)
    26,936  
         
Net income
    72,378  
         
Adjustments to reconcile net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
       
Add:
       
Depreciation and amortization
    21,548  
Interest expense(b)
    26,936  
Less:
       
Equity earnings in Gulfstream
    22,114  
Equity earnings in Market Hub
    31,535  
Interest income(a)
    8,353  
Cash reserve(c)
    4,057  
         
Adjusted EBITDA
    54,803  
         


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    Twelve months
 
    ending June 30,
 
    2008  
    (In thousands,
 
    except per
 
    unit data)  
 
Add:
       
Interest income
    8,353  
Estimated cash available for distribution from Gulfstream(d)
    23,806  
Estimated cash available for distribution from Market Hub(e)
    32,886  
Less:
       
Cash interest expense
    26,936  
Maintenance capital expenditures
    11,767  
         
Minimum estimated cash available for distribution
  $ 81,145  
         
Per unit minimum annual distribution
  $ 1.25  
Annual distributions to:
       
Public common unitholders
    12,500  
Spectra Energy
    68,645  
         
Total distributions to our unitholders and general partner at the initial distribution rate
  $ 81,145  
         
Interest coverage ratio(f)
    6.2 x
Leverage ratio(f)
    3.1 x
 
 
(a) Reflects the interest income related to the long-term investments we intend to purchase with a portion of the proceeds from this offering.
 
(b) Reflects the interest expense related to borrowings under our credit facility made in connection with this offering.
 
(c) Represents a discretionary reserve to be used for reinvestment and other general partnership purposes.
 
(d) Gulfstream’s estimated cash available for distribution for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 is calculated as follows:
 
         
    Twelve months
 
    ending
 
Gulfstream
  June 30, 2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net income
  $ 90,263  
Add:
       
Depreciation and amortization expense
    30,309  
Interest expense, net
    32,536  
Less:
       
Other income (expenses), net
    4,798  
         
Adjusted EBITDA
    148,310  
Less:
       
Cash interest expense, net
    49,307  
Maintenance capital expenditures
    1,834  
         
Estimated cash available for distribution from Gulfstream — 100%
  $ 97,169  
         
Estimated cash available for distribution from Gulfstream — our 24.5%
  $ 23,806  
         

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(e) Market Hub’s estimated cash available for distribution for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 is calculated as follows:
 
         
    Twelve months
 
    ending
 
Market Hub
  June 30, 2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net income
  $  63,071  
Add:
       
Depreciation and amortization expense
    8,344  
Less:
       
Other income (expenses), net
    2,641  
         
Adjusted EBITDA
    68,774  
Less:
       
Maintenance capital expenditures
    2,946  
Cash paid for taxes
    57  
         
Estimated cash available for distribution from Market Hub — 100%
  $ 65,771  
         
Estimated cash available for distribution from Market Hub — our 50.0%
  $ 32,886  
         
 
(f) Please read accompanying summary of the assumptions and considerations underlying these estimates.
 
We have entered into a $500 million credit agreement under which we expect to borrow $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt upon the closing of this offering. The credit agreement contains covenants limiting our ability to make distributions, incur indebtedness, grant liens, and engage in transactions with affiliates, which covenants may be modified or eliminated upon our receipt of an investment grade rating.
 
In addition, the credit agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain:
 
  •  an interest coverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA to our consolidated interest expense (net of interest income), in each case as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 2.5 to 1.0, determined as of the last day of each quarter for the four-quarter period ending on the date of determination; and
 
  •  a leverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated indebtedness to our consolidated EBITDA, in each case as defined in the credit agreement) of not more than 5.0 to 1.0 (or, on a temporary basis for not more than three consecutive quarters following the consummation of certain acquisitions, not more than 5.5 to 1.0).
 
We believe that we will be in compliance with these covenants for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
If an event of default exists under the credit agreement, the lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of the credit agreement and demand repayment of amounts outstanding.
 
Assumptions and Considerations
 
General
 
We believe that our estimated minimum cash available for distribution for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will not be less than $81.1 million. This amount of estimated minimum cash available for distribution is approximately $15.4 million and $4.5 million more than the pro forma cash available for distribution we generated for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, respectively. As we discuss in further detail below, we believe that increased revenue primarily from firm transportation and storage agreements partially offset by increased operating and administrative expenses, will result in our generating higher cash available for distribution for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Our expected minimum revenue of $103.1 million, offset by the maximum operating


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expense, excluding depreciation and amortization, of approximately $36.9 million, taxes other than income taxes of $7.3 million less cash reserve of $4.1 million, plus cash interest income of $8.4 million, cash distributions of $23.8 million and $32.9 million from Gulfstream and Market Hub, respectively, less cash interest expense of $26.9 million and maintenance capital expenditures of $11.8 million, results in our estimated minimum cash available for distribution of $81.1 million. We believe the assumptions and estimates we have made to support our ability to generate minimum estimated cash available for distribution, which are set forth below, are reasonable.
 
Spectra Energy Partners
 
Our Operating Revenue
 
  •  We estimate that we will generate at least $103.1 million in revenues for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Substantially all of these revenues will be generated from services provided under firm transportation and LNG storage agreements and capacity reservation charges relating to the East Tennessee system. We estimate less than $2.0 million of these revenues will be charges based on actual utilization and interruptible transportation service. We generated $80.0 million, $82.6 million and $86.8 million in revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.
 
  •  The expected $20.5 million increase in our revenues from the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 is primarily due to increased revenues associated with the Jewell Ridge Lateral, placed in service in 2006, as well as increased revenues associated with the Patriot Extension, which was placed into service in 2005.
 
Our Expenses
 
  •  We estimate operating and maintenance expenses will not be more than $36.9 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, which include certain scheduled pipeline integrity expenditures that do not occur annually, as compared to $24.6 million, $21.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the twelve months ending March 31, 2007.
 
  •  We estimate our total general and administrative expense will not be more than $8.5 million, a portion of which will be capped pursuant to the terms of the omnibus agreement. Our general and administrative expenses will consist of corporate general and administrative expense allocated from Spectra Energy as well as additional general and administrative costs that result from our being a publicly traded limited partnership. Our estimated general and administrative expense of $8.5 million includes approximately $1.0 million of non-cash expense related to awards to be granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. General and administrative expense allocated from Spectra Energy was $2.7 million for the calendar year ended December 31, 2006. Please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Omnibus Agreement.”
 
  •  We estimate depreciation and amortization expense for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 for the East Tennessee system will be $21.5 million as compared to $23.6 million, $19.0 million and $19.2 million of depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, respectively. Estimated depreciation and amortization expense reflects management’s estimates, which are based on consistent average depreciable asset lives and depreciation methodologies, taking into account estimated capital expenditures.
 
  •  We estimate property and other taxes for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will be $7.3 million as compared to $5.3 million, $4.2 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.


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Our Capital Expenditures
 
  •  We estimate that East Tennessee’s maintenance capital expenditures will not exceed $11.8 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 as compared to $8.2 million, $10.9 million and $10.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.
 
  •  We estimate that East Tennessee’s expansion capital expenditures will not exceed $11.8 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Expansion capital expenditures for East Tennessee were approximately $51.1 million, $75.0 million and $66.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, respectively, and consisted of expansions associated with the Jewell Ridge Lateral and other projects. The increased revenue from these projects is reflected in the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Organic growth opportunities associated with the Jewell Ridge Lateral constitute the majority of the expansion capital expenditures planned for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
Our Financing
 
  •  We estimate that at closing of this offering we will borrow $125 million in revolving debt and $145.3 million in term debt under our new $500 million credit facility. We estimate that the revolving borrowings will bear a variable average interest rate of 6.0%.
 
  •  We estimate that our term debt borrowings, net of interest earned on the $145.3 million in qualifying investment grade securities pledged to secure the loan, will bear an interest expense of 0.25%.
 
  •  We estimate that East Tennessee’s $150 million senior notes will remain outstanding and continue to bear interest at 5.71%.
 
  •  We estimate our capital expenditures and capital contribution requirements will total approximately $81.9 million and will be funded through borrowings under our new credit facility at a variable average interest rate of 6.0%.
 
  •  We estimate that we will remain in compliance with the financial covenants in our existing and future debt agreements during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
Our Regulatory, Industry and Economic Factors
 
  •  We estimate there will not be any new federal, state or local regulations of portions of the energy industry in which we operate, or any new interpretations of existing regulations, that will be materially adverse to our business during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
  •  We estimate there will not be any major adverse changes in the portions of the energy industry in which we operate or in general economic conditions during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
  •  We estimate that industry, insurance and overall economic conditions will not change substantially during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
Our Cash Distributions from Gulfstream and Market Hub
 
  •  Our estimate reflects cash distributions relating to our 24.5% interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% interest in Market Hub. Under the terms of their governing agreements, each of Gulfstream and Market Hub must distribute to their members on a quarterly basis 100% of their available cash, which is generally defined as cash on hand at the end of the applicable quarter, less any reserves taken by the management committee. As a result, we estimate that we will receive 24.5% and 50.0% of the available cash of Gulfstream and Market Hub, respectively, during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Based on our assumptions regarding the revenues, expenses and other capital requirements discussed below, we estimate receiving cash distributions of approximately $23.8 million


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  from Gulfstream and approximately $32.9 million from Market Hub during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
Gulfstream System
 
Although we account for our 24.5% interest in Gulfstream under the equity-method for financial reporting purposes, we have assumed that Gulfstream’s cash distributions to us will be based on the following estimates.
 
Gulfstream Operating Revenue
 
  •  We estimate that Gulfstream will generate at least $155.3 million in firm service revenues for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 related to services provided under firm transportation agreements. Gulfstream generated $121.5 million and $157.9 million in revenues related to these agreements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. We do not anticipate that Gulfstream will receive any revenues from its Phase III and Phase IV expansions during the twelve months ending June 30, 2008.
 
  •  We estimate that Gulfstream will generate revenues for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 of at least $27.1 million related to interruptible transportation and park and loan service on estimated throughput of 48 Bcf. Gulfstream generated $23.6 million and $22.2 million in revenues related to interruptible transportation and park and loan services on throughput of 32 Bcf and 35 Bcf for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. This increase in Gulfstream’s interruptible transportation and park and loan services revenue is primarily attributable to currently identified increased customer demand.
 
Gulfstream Expenses
 
  •  We estimate Gulfstream’s direct operating and maintenance expense will not be more than $16.3 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, and includes certain scheduled asset integrity expenditures which do not occur annually, as compared to $9.3 million and $15.2 million for the calendar years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Operating expenses exclude capital expenditure provisions on development projects.
 
  •  We estimate Gulfstream’s depreciation and amortization expense will be no more than $30.3 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. This expense was $29.2 million and $30.4 million for the calendar years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Estimated depreciation and amortization expense reflects management’s estimates, which are based on consistent average depreciable asset lives and depreciation methodologies, taking into account estimated capital expenditures as described below.
 
  •  We estimate property and other taxes for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will be $17.8 million as compared to $15.1 million and $17.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
Gulfstream Capital Expenditures
 
  •  We estimate that Gulfstream’s maintenance capital expenditures will not exceed $1.8 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 as compared to $1.0 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
  •  We estimate that Gulfstream’s net cash expansion capital expenditures will not exceed $152.2 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 as compared to $61.2 million and $21.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Our 24.5% share of Gulfstream’s net cash expansion capital expenditures for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will be $37.3 million.


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  •  The majority of Gulfstream’s expansion capital expenditures for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will be associated with its estimated $134.9 million Phase III project and its estimated $117.1 million Phase IV Project. These projects are expected to be phased in beginning in summer 2008 and completed in early 2009, and have applications pending with FERC for approval. The capital expenditures associated with Phase III and IV totaled $12.0 million through December 31, 2006. Both of these expansions are fully-supported by customer contracts with 23-year initial terms. These two projects will significantly increase Gulfstream’s firm transportation service contracts and will significantly decrease Gulfstream’s reliance on seasonal, interruptible transportation service.
 
Market Hub System
 
Although we account for our 50.0% interest in Market Hub under the equity-method for financial reporting purposes, we have assumed that Market Hub’s cash distributions to us will be based on the following estimates.
 
Market Hub Operating Revenue
 
  •  We estimate that Market Hub will generate at least $84.9 million in total revenues related to services provided under firm and interruptible storage agreements for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Market Hub generated $77.9 million and $78.8 million in revenues related to those services for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. This increase in revenues is primarily attributable to higher average storage rates.
 
  •  Included in the storage service revenues above, we estimated that Market Hub will generate revenues of $9.4 million related to interruptible storage services for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008. Market Hub generated $14.3 million and $10.2 million in revenues related to these services for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
Market Hub Expenses
 
  •  We estimate that Market Hub’s operating and maintenance expenses will not be more than $11.7 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, which includes certain scheduled asset integrity expenditures that will not occur annually, as compared to $9.5 million and $26.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The increase in operating and maintenance expenses from $9.5 million in 2005 to $26.3 million in 2006 was attributable to a natural gas inventory adjustment as well as expenses associated with two unit overhauls and an information technology upgrade.
 
  •  We estimate that Market Hub’s depreciation and amortization expense will be no more than $8.3 million as compared to $6.9 and $7.8 million of depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Estimated depreciation and amortization expense reflects management’s estimates, which are based on consistent average depreciable asset lives and depreciation methodologies, taking into account estimated capital expenditures as described below.
 
  •  We estimate property and other taxes for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will be $4.4 million as compared to $3.4 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
Market Hub Capital Expenditures
 
  •  We estimate that Market Hub’s maintenance capital expenditures will not exceed $2.9 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, as compared to $27.6 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. This decrease is primarily attributable to the substantial completion of repairs at Moss Bluff following a fire at a cavern well-head in 2004.


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  •  As a result of ongoing expansion projects, we estimate that Market Hub’s expansion capital expenditures will increase to approximately $68.2 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, as compared to $10.4 million and $44.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Expansion projects are currently being pursued at Market Hub’s Egan, Louisiana storage facility to increase its aggregate working gas storage capacity from its current capacity of 20 Bcf to 24 Bcf by 2008. An application is currently pending with FERC for approval to further expand Egan to 32 Bcf by 2012. Our 50.0% share of Market Hub’s net cash expansion capital expenditures for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 will be $34.1 million.
 
Payments of Distributions on Common Units, Subordinated Units and the General Partner Units
 
Distributions on common units, subordinated units and general partner units for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 are estimated to be $81.1 million in the aggregate. Quarterly distributions will be paid within 45 days after the close of each quarter.
 
While we believe that these assumptions are reasonable based upon management’s current expectations concerning future events, they are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties, including those described in “Risk Factors,” that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we anticipate. If our assumptions are not realized, the actual cash available for distribution that we generate could be substantially less than that currently expected and could, therefore, be insufficient to permit us to make the full minimum quarterly distribution on all units, in which event the market price of the common units may decline materially.


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PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
RELATING TO CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
 
Set forth below is a summary of the significant provisions of our partnership agreement that relate to cash distributions.
 
Distributions of Available Cash
 
General.   Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2007, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
 
Definition of Available Cash.   Available cash, for any quarter, consists of all cash on hand at the end of that quarter:
 
  •  less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
 
  •  provide for the proper conduct of our business;
 
  •  comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or
 
  •  provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters;
 
  •  plus, if our general partner so determines, all or a portion of cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter.
 
Minimum Quarterly Distribution.   We will distribute to the holders of common units and subordinated units on a quarterly basis at least the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3125 per unit, or $1.25 per year, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. We will be prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default is existing, under our credit agreement. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Requirements — Description of Credit Agreement” for a discussion of the restrictions to be included in our credit agreement that may restrict our ability to make distributions.
 
General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights.   Initially, our general partner will be entitled to 2% of all quarterly distributions since inception that we make prior to our liquidation. This general partner interest will be represented by 1,298,325 general partner units. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest. The general partner’s initial 2% interest in these distributions will be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest.
 
Our general partner also currently holds incentive distribution rights that entitle it to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 50%, of the cash we distribute from operating surplus (as defined below) in excess of $0.3594 per unit per quarter. The maximum distribution of 50% includes distributions paid to our general partner on its 2% general partner interest and assumes that our general partner maintains its general partner interest at 2%. The maximum distribution of 50% does not include any distributions that our general partner may receive on units that it owns. Please read “— General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” for additional information.


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Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
 
General.   All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute available cash from operating surplus differently than available cash from capital surplus.
 
Operating Surplus.   We define operating surplus in the partnership agreement and for any period it generally means:
 
  •  an amount equal to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all of our units (including the general partner units) and the incentive distribution rights at the same per-unit amount as was distributed in the immediately preceding quarter; plus
 
  •  all of our cash receipts after the closing of this offering, excluding cash from interim capital transactions, as defined below under “— Capital Surplus”; less
 
  •  all of our operating expenditures after the closing of this offering, excluding the repayment of borrowings, but including maintenance capital expenditures (including capital contributions to Gulfstream and Market Hub to be used by them for maintenance capital expenditures); less
 
  •  the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures.
 
We define operating expenditures in the partnership agreement, and it generally means all of our expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, payments to our general partner, reimbursement of expenses incurred by our general partner on our behalf, non-pro rata purchases of units, interest payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate swap agreements and commodity hedge contracts and maintenance capital expenditures, provided that operating expenditures will not include:
 
  •  payments of principal of and premium on indebtedness;
 
  •  expansion capital expenditures;
 
  •  payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) related to interim capital transactions;
 
  •  distributions to our partners; and
 
  •  non-pro rata purchases of units of any class made with the proceeds of an interim capital transaction (as defined below).
 
Maintenance capital expenditures represent capital expenditures made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets, to maintain the existing operating capacity of our assets and to extend their useful lives, or other capital expenditures that are incurred in maintaining existing system volumes and related earnings. Expansion capital expenditures represent capital expenditures made to increase the long-term operating capacity or earnings of our assets, whether through construction or acquisition. Expansion capital expenditures include contributions made to Gulfstream and Market Hub to be used by them for expansion capital expenditures. Costs for repairs and minor renewals to maintain facilities in operating condition and that do not extend the useful life of existing assets will be treated as operations and maintenance expenses as we incur them. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner, with the concurrence of the conflicts committee, determines how to allocate a capital expenditure for the acquisition or expansion of our assets between maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures.
 
Capital Surplus.   We also define capital surplus in the partnership agreement and in “— Characterization of Cash Distributions” below, and it will generally be generated only by the following, which we call “interim capital transactions”:
 
  •  borrowings;
 
  •  sales of our equity and debt securities; and


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  •  sales or other dispositions of assets for cash, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other current assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of normal retirement or replacement of assets.
 
  •  the termination of interest rate swap agreements or commodity hedge contracts prior to the termination date specified therein;
 
  •  capital contributions received; and
 
  •  corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
 
Characterization of Cash Distributions.   Our partnership agreement requires that we treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since the closing of this offering equals the operating surplus as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. Our partnership agreement requires that we treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. As reflected above, operating surplus includes an amount equal to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all of our units (including the general partner units) and the incentive distribution rights at the same per-unit amount as was distributed in the immediately preceding quarter. This amount, which initially equals $20.3 million, does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders. Rather, it is a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to this amount of cash we receive in the future from interim capital transactions, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus. The characterization of cash distributions as operating surplus versus capital surplus does not result in a different impact to unitholders for federal tax purposes. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Distributions” for a discussion of the tax treatment of cash distributions.
 
Subordination Period
 
General.   Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (which we define below and in Appendix D), the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.3125 per common unit, which amount is defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed on the common units.
 
Subordination Period.   The subordination period will extend until the first business day of any quarter beginning after June 30, 2010 that each of the following tests are met:
 
  •  distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units equaled or exceeded the minimum quarterly distribution for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;
 
  •  the “adjusted operating surplus” (as defined below) generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units during those periods on a fully diluted basis; and
 
  •  there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.
 
Expiration of the Subordination Period.   When the subordination period expires, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will then participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash. In addition, if the unitholders remove our general partner


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other than for cause and units held by the general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal:
 
  •  the subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately convert into one common unit;
 
  •  any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and
 
  •  the general partner will have the right to convert its general partner units and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.
 
Early Conversion of Subordinated Units.   The subordination period will automatically terminate and all of the subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis on the first business day following the distribution of available cash to partners in respect of any quarter ending on or after June 30, 2008 that each of the following occurs:
 
  •  distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each outstanding common unit, subordinated unit and general partner unit equaled or exceeded $0.4688 per quarter (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) for the four-quarter period immediately preceding the date;
 
  •  the “adjusted operating surplus” (as defined below) generated during the four-quarter period immediately preceding the date equaled or exceeded the sum of the distribution of $0.4688 (150% of the minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units during that period on a fully diluted basis; and
 
  •  there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.
 
Adjusted Operating Surplus.   Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes the two-quarter operating surplus “basket” and net drawdowns of reserves of cash generated in prior periods. We define adjusted operating surplus in the partnership agreement and for any period it generally means:
 
  •  operating surplus generated with respect to that period; plus
 
  •  any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established with respect to that period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to the following bullet point; less
 
  •  any net decrease in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus
 
  •  any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium.
 
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus during the Subordination Period
 
Our partnership agreement requires that we make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:
 
  •  first , 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;
 
  •  second , 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period;
 
  •  third , 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and


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  •  thereafter , in the manner described in “General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.
 
The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
 
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus after the Subordination Period
 
Our partnership agreement requires that we make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:
 
  •  first , 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and
 
  •  thereafter , in the manner described in “General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.
 
The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
 
General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights
 
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner initially will be entitled to 2% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest if we issue additional units. Our general partner’s 2% interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which it is entitled, will be proportionately reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2% general partner interest. Our general partner will be entitled to make a capital contribution in order to maintain its 2% general partner interest in the form of the contribution to us of common units based on the current market value of the contributed common units.
 
Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13%, 23% and 48%) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement.
 
The following discussion assumes that the general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and continues to own the incentive distribution rights.
 
If for any quarter:
 
  •  we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and
 
  •  we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;
 
then, our partnership agreement requires that we distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and the general partner in the following manner:
 
  •  first , 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.3594 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”);
 
  •  second , 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to the general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.3906 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”);


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  •  third , 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to the general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4688 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and
 
  •  thereafter , 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to the general partner.
 
Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Operating Surplus
 
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit,” until available cash from operating surplus we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and the general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume our general partner has contributed any additional capital to maintain its 2% general partner interest and has not transferred its incentive distribution rights.
 
                     
        Marginal Percentage
 
    Total Quarterly
  Interest in Distribution  
    Distribution per Unit
        General
 
    Target Amount   Unitholders     Partner  
 
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
  $0.3125     98 %     2 %
First Target Distribution
  Up to $0.3594     98 %     2 %
Second Target Distribution
  above $0.3594 up to $0.3906     85 %     15 %
Third Target Distribution
  above $0.3906 up to $0.4688     75 %     25 %
Thereafter
  above $0.4688     50 %     50 %
 
General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels
 
Our general partner, as the holder of our incentive distribution rights, has the right under our partnership agreement to elect to relinquish the right to receive incentive distribution payments based on the initial cash target distribution levels and to reset, at higher levels, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and cash target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments to our general partner would be set. Our general partner’s right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions payable to our general partner are based may be exercised, without approval of our unitholders or the conflicts committee of our general partner, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and we have made cash distributions to the holders of the incentive distribution rights at the highest level of incentive distribution for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters. The reset minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels will be higher than the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels prior to the reset such that our general partner will not receive any incentive distributions under the reset target distribution levels until cash distributions per unit following this event increase as described below. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would otherwise not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit, taking into account the existing levels of incentive distribution payments being made to our general partner.
 
In connection with the resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels and the corresponding relinquishment by our general partner of incentive distribution payments based on the target cash distributions prior to the reset, our general partner will be entitled to receive a number of newly issued Class B units based on a predetermined formula described below that takes into account the “cash parity” value of the average cash distributions related to the incentive distribution rights received by our general partner for the two quarters prior to the reset event as compared


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to the average cash distributions per common unit during this period. We will also issue an additional amount of general partner units in order to maintain the general partner’s ownership interest in us relative to the issuance of the Class B units.
 
The number of Class B units that our general partner would be entitled to receive from us in connection with a resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels then in effect would be equal to (x) the average amount of cash distributions received by our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights during the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately prior to the date of such reset election divided by (y) the average of the amount of cash distributed per common unit during each of these two quarters. Each Class B unit will be convertible into one common unit at the election of the holder of the Class B unit at any time following the first anniversary of the issuance of these Class B units The issuance of Class B units will be conditioned upon approval of the listing or admission for trading of the common units into which the Class B units are convertible by the national securities exchange on which the common units are then listed or admitted for trading. Each Class B unit will receive the same level of distribution as a common unit on a pari passu basis with other unitholders.
 
Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per common unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to be correspondingly higher such that we would distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus for each quarter thereafter as follows:
 
  •  first, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount equal to 115% of the reset minimum quarter distribution for that quarter;
 
  •  second, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to the general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 125% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;
 
  •  third, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to the general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 150% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and
 
  •  thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to the general partner.
 
The following table illustrates the percentage allocation of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner at various levels of cash distribution levels pursuant to the cash distribution provision of our partnership agreement in effect at the closing of this offering as well as following a hypothetical reset of the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels based on the assumption that the average quarterly cash distribution amount per common unit during the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election was $0.60.
 
                         
        Marginal Percentage
     
    Quarterly Distribution
  Interest in Distribution     Quarterly Distribution
    per Unit
        General
    per Unit following
    Prior to Reset   Unitholders     Partner     Hypothetical Reset
 
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
  $0.3125     98 %     2 %   $0.60
First Target Distribution
  Up to $0.3594     98 %     2 %   Up to $0.69(1)
Second Target Distribution
  above $0.3594 up to $0.3906     85 %     15 %   above $0.69 up to $0.75(2)
Third Target Distribution
  above $0.3906 up to $0.4688     75 %     25 %   above $0.75 up to $0.90(3)
Thereafter
  above $0.4688     50 %     50 %   above $0.90(3)
 
 
(1) This amount is 115% of the hypothetical reset minimum quarterly distribution.
 
(2) This amount is 125% of the hypothetical reset minimum quarterly distribution.
 
(3) This amount is 150% of the hypothetical reset minimum quarterly distribution.


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The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and the general partner, including in respect of incentive distribution rights, or IDRs, based on an average of the amounts distributed per quarter for the two quarters immediately prior to the reset. The table assumes that there are 63,617,937 common units and 1,298,325 general partner units, representing a 2% general partner interest, outstanding, and that the average distribution to each common unit is $0.60 for the two quarters prior to the reset. The assumed number of outstanding units assumes the conversion of all subordinated units into common units and no additional unit issuances.
 
                                                     
    Quarterly
  Common
    General Partner Cash Distributions Prior to Reset        
    Distribution
  Unitholders Cash
          2% General
                   
    per Unit
  Distributions
    Class B
    Partner
                Total
 
    Prior to Reset   Prior to Reset     Units     Interest     IDRs     Total     Distributions  
 
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
  $0.3125   $ 19,880,605     $ 0     $ 405,727       $0       $405,727     $ 20,286,332  
First Target Distribution
  up to $0.3594     2,983,681       0       60,891       0       60,891       3,044,572  
Second Target Distribution
  above $0.3594 up to $0.3906     1,984,880       0       46,703       303,570       350,273       2,335,153  
Third Target Distribution
  above $0.3906 up to $0.4688     4,974,923       0       132,665       1,525,643       1,658,308       6,633,230  
Thereafter
  above $0.4688     8,346,673       0       333,867       8,012,806       8,346,673       16,693,347  
                                                     
        $ 38,170,762     $ 0     $ 979,853     $ 9,842,019     $ 10,821,872     $ 48,992,634  
                                                     
 
The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and the general partner with respect to the quarter in which the reset occurs. The table reflects that as a result of the reset there are 63,617,937 common units, 16,403,365 Class B units and 1,633,088 general partner units, outstanding, and that the average distribution to each common unit is $0.60. The number of Class B units was calculated by dividing (x) $9,842,019 as the average of the amounts received by the general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights, or IDRs, for the two quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above by (y) the $0.60 of available cash from operating surplus distributed to each common unit as the average distributed per common unit for the two quarters prior to the reset.
 
                                                     
              General Partner Cash Distributions
       
    Quarterly
  Common
    After Reset        
    Distribution
  Unitholders Cash
          2% General
                   
    per
  Distributions
    Class B
    Partner
                Total
 
    Unit After Reset   After Reset     Units     Interest     IDRs     Total     Distributions  
 
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
  $0.60   $ 38,170,762     $ 9,842,019     $ 979,853     $ 0     $ 10,821,872     $ 48,992,634  
First Target Distribution
  up to $0.69                                    
Second Target Distribution
  above $0.69 up to $0.75                                    
Third Target Distribution
  above $0.75 up to $0.90                                    
                                                     
Thereafter
  above $0.90   $ 38,170,762     $ 9,842,019     $ 979,853     $ 0     $ 10,821,872     $ 48,992,634  
                                                     
 
Our general partner will be entitled to cause the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels to be reset on more than one occasion, provided that it may not make a reset election except at a time when it has received incentive distributions for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters based on the highest level of incentive distributions that it is entitled to receive under our partnership agreement.


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Distributions from Capital Surplus
 
How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made.   Our partnership agreement requires that we make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:
 
  •  first , 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each common unit that was issued in this offering an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price;
 
  •  second , 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each common unit an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units; and
 
  •  thereafter , we will make all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus.
 
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus.   Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from this initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the “unrecovered initial unit price.” Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for the general partner to receive incentive distributions and for the subordinated units to convert into common units. However, any distribution of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.
 
Once we distribute capital surplus on a unit issued in this offering in an amount equal to the initial unit price, our partnership agreement specifies that the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced to zero. Our partnership agreement specifies that we then make all future distributions from operating surplus, with 50% being paid to the holders of units and 50% to the general partner. The percentage interests shown for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume the general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.
 
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
 
In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, our partnership agreement specifies that the following items will be proportionately adjusted:
 
  •  the minimum quarterly distribution;
 
  •  target distribution levels;
 
  •  the unrecovered initial unit price; and
 
  •  the number of common units into which a subordinated unit is convertible.
 
For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level and each subordinated unit would be convertible into two common units. Our partnership agreement provides that we not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.
 
In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted by a governmental taxing authority, so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, our partnership agreement specifies that the general partner may reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for each quarter by multiplying


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each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus the general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.
 
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
 
General.   If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and the general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
 
The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to a preference over the holders of outstanding subordinated units upon our liquidation, to the extent required to permit common unitholders to receive their unrecovered initial unit price plus the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs plus any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the holders of common units to fully recover all of these amounts, even though there may be cash available for distribution to the holders of subordinated units. Any further net gain recognized upon liquidation will be allocated in a manner that takes into account the incentive distribution rights of the general partner.
 
Manner of Adjustments for Gain.   The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in the partnership agreement. If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will allocate any gain to the partners in the following manner:
 
  •  first, to the general partner and the holders of units who have negative balances in their capital accounts to the extent of and in proportion to those negative balances;
 
  •  second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of: (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; and (3) any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;
 
  •  third, 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner until the capital account for each subordinated unit is equal to the sum of: (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; and (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs;
 
  •  fourth, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per unit over the minimum quarterly distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 98% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, for each quarter of our existence;
 
  •  fifth, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to the general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per unit over the first target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the first target distribution per unit that we distributed 85% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to the general partner for each quarter of our existence;
 
  •  sixth, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to the general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per


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  unit over the second target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the second target distribution per unit that we distributed 75% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to the general partner for each quarter of our existence; and
 
  •  thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to the general partner.
 
The percentage interests set forth above for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume the general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.
 
If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that clause (3) of the second bullet point above and all of the third bullet point above will no longer be applicable.
 
Manner of Adjustments for Losses.   If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will generally allocate any loss to the general partner and the unitholders in the following manner:
 
  •  first, 98% to holders of subordinated units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2% to the general partner, until the capital accounts of the subordinated unitholders have been reduced to zero;
 
  •  second, 98% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2% to the general partner, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; and
 
  •  thereafter, 100% to the general partner.
 
If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that all of the first bullet point above will no longer be applicable.
 
Adjustments to Capital Accounts.   Our partnership agreement requires that we make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In this regard, our partnership agreement specifies that we allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and the general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain or loss upon liquidation. In the event that we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units, our partnership agreement requires that we allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units or upon our liquidation in a manner which results, to the extent possible, in the general partner’s capital account balances equaling the amount which they would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made.


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SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
 
The following table shows (i) selected combined historical financial and operating data of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor, (ii) selected combined pro forma financial data of Spectra Energy Partners and (iii) selected historical financial and operating data of Gulfstream and Market Hub for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The selected combined historical financial data of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are derived from the historical audited combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The historical combined financial data of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are derived from the unaudited combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor. The table should also be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
The selected historical financial data of Gulfstream and Market Hub as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are derived from the audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are derived from the historical unaudited combined financial statements of Gulfstream and Market Hub, respectively. All other historical financial data for Gulfstream and Market Hub are derived from our financial records.
 
The combined pro forma financial data of Spectra Energy Partners as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 are derived from the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners included elsewhere in this prospectus. The pro forma adjustments have been prepared as if certain transactions to be effected at the closing of this offering had taken place on March 31, 2007, in the case of the pro forma balance sheet, as of January 1, 2006 and in the case of the pro forma statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006, and for the three months ended March 31, 2007. These transactions include:
 
  •  East Tennessee’s and Market Hub’s distribution of accounts receivable of $11.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively, to Spectra Energy Corp;
 
  •  The proceeds to Spectra Energy Partners LP from the issuance and sale of 10.0 million common units at an initial offering price of $20.00 per unit;
 
  •  Spectra Energy Partners’ borrowings under a new $500 million credit facility of $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt; and
 
  •  Spectra Energy Partners’ use of proceeds and borrowings to pay transaction expenses and underwriting commissions, reimburse subsidiaries of Spectra Energy for certain capital expenditures, fund working capital, and invest in qualifying investment grade securities.
 
The following table includes the following non-GAAP financial measures:
 
  •  Our historical and pro forma Adjusted EBITDA;
 
  •  Adjusted EBITDA for both our 24.5% ownership interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% ownership interest in Market Hub;
 
  •  Our historical and pro forma cash available for distribution; and
 
  •  Cash available for distribution for both our 24.5% ownership interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% ownership interest in Market Hub.
 
These measures are presented because such information is relevant to, and is expected to be used by, management, industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and operating results of our fundamental business activities. Our 24.5% ownership interest in Gulfstream and our 50.0% ownership interest in Market Hub are not consolidated in our pro forma financial results, but are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In order to evaluate our Adjusted EBITDA for


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the cash impact of our investments in Gulfstream and Market Hub on our results, we calculate Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution separately for us and our ownership interests in Gulfstream and Market Hub. We expect distributions we receive from Gulfstream and Market Hub to represent a significant portion of the cash we distribute to our unitholders. The limited liability company agreement for Gulfstream and the general partnership agreement for Market Hub provide for quarterly distributions of available cash to their members. Please read “How We Make Cash Distributions — General — Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy” for more information on the manner in which Gulfstream and Market Hub distribute cash to their members.
 
We define our Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less our equity in earnings of Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income and other income (expenses), net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less interest income and other income, net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries. Our equity share of Gulfstream’s Adjusted EBITDA is 24.5%, and our equity share of Market Hub’s Adjusted EBITDA is 50.0%.
 
We define our cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub, less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Our cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Our pro forma cash available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006, and for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2007, includes our anticipated incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly traded partnership.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances.
 
For a reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
 


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                      Spectra Energy
 
                                              Partners, LP
 
                                              Pro Forma  
    Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined           Three Months
 
                                  Three Months
    Year Ended
    Ended
 
    Year Ended December 31,     Ended March 31,     December 31,
    March 31,
 
    2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007  
    (In thousands except per unit and operating data)  
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                                                                       
Total operating revenues
  $ 58,442     $ 65,865     $ 81,716     $ 80,003     $ 82,609     $ 22,221     $ 26,433     $ 82,609     $ 26,433  
Operating expenses:
                                                                       
Operations, maintenance, and other
    11,613       19,032       26,081       24,648       21,831       10,486       6,905       21,831       6,905  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,577       15,804       21,492       23,640       18,986       4,754       4,969       18,986       4,969  
Property and other taxes
    3,661       4,318       518       5,264       4,177       1,607       (127 )     4,177       (127 )
                                                                         
Total operating expenses
    29,851       39,154       48,091       53,552       44,994       16,847       11,747       44,994       11,747  
                                                                         
Gain on sale of other assets, net
          (161 )                                              
                                                                         
Operating income
    28,591       26,550       33,625       26,451       37,615       5,374       14,686       37,615       14,686  
                                                                         
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    35,428       28,367       35,495       46,287       41,105       7,059       11,385       41,105       11,385  
Other income (expense), net
    3,123       7,983       1,485       528       1,765       335       12       1,765       12  
Interest income
    17,651       11       6       24       15       4       9       7,716       1,934  
Interest expense
    (17,839 )     (6,203 )     (8,258 )     (8,506 )     (8,151 )     (2,067 )     (2,156 )     (25,133 )     (6,402 )
Income tax expense
    (11,539 )     (6,048 )     (9,202 )     (7,834 )     (10,741 )     (1,212 )     (4,733 )     (453 )     (209 )
                                                                         
Net income
  $ 55,415     $ 50,660     $ 53,151     $ 56,950     $ 61,608     $ 9,493     $ 19,203     $ 62,615     $ 21,407  
                                                                         
Net income per limited partners’ unit
                                                                       
Common units
                                                          $ 1.25     $ 0.33  
Subordinated units
                                                          $ 0.38     $ 0.33  

Balance Sheet Data
(at period end):
                                                                       
Total assets
  $ 1,081,254     $ 1,258,141     $ 1,302,974     $ 1,202,772     $ 1,284,582             $ 1,291,966             $ 1,427,833  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    433,244       566,697       602,226       616,316       691,820               688,789               688,789  
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
    511,240       531,956       553,731       422,340       442,793               450,068               441,409  
Long-term debt
    150,000       150,000       150,000       150,000       150,000               150,000               420,300  
Total parent net equity
    878,203       1,021,321       1,024,754       895,696       989,125               987,702               971,928  

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                                  Spectra Energy Partners, LP Pro Forma  
                                        Three Months
 
    Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined     Year Ended
    Ended
 
    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months Ended March 31,     December 31,
    March 31,
 
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007  
    (In thousands, except per unit and operating data)  
 
                                                         
Other Financial Data:
                                                       
Spectra Energy Partners
                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 83,987       93,272     $ 62,278     $ 17,099     $ 22,478     $ 63,285     $ 24,590  
Adjusted EBITDA
    55,117       50,091       56,601       10,129       19,655       56,601       19,655  
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly-traded partnership(a)
                                  5,500       1,375  
Net cash paid for interest expense
    12,955       8,566       8,591       6       9       17,672       2,279  
Maintenance capital expenditures
    6,679       8,232       10,933       1,354       895       10,933       895  
Cash available for distribution(b)
    73,784       77,526       80,377       21,284       35,734       65,796       32,089  
Expansion capital expenditures
    27,590       51,083       74,977       9,886       1,198       74,977       1,198  
Gulfstream — our 24.5%
                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    18,771       24,999       24,712       8,373       8,171                  
Adjusted EBITDA
    18,699       29,583       36,060       7,190       8,905                  
Net cash paid for interest expense
    1,555       3,869       12,109                              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    47       234       151       81       216                  
Cash available for distribution(b)
    17,097       25,480       23,800       7,170       8,852                  
Expansion capital expenditures
    30,356       15,000       5,149       1,642       5,204                  
Market Hub — our 50.0%
                                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    21,452       31,139       84,386       4,702       8,358                  
Adjusted EBITDA
    27,027       32,552       24,286       5,677       8,727                  
Net cash paid for interest expense
                22                              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    5,823       13,799       4,763       665       1,192                  
Cash available for distribution(b)
    21,204       18,753       19,500       5,345       8,131                  
Expansion capital expenditures
    2,677       5,195       22,279       3,341       18,550                  
                                                         
Operating Data:
                                                       
East Tennessee
                                                       
Transportation capacity (Bcf/d)
    1.263       1.280       1.319       1.279       1.319                  
Contracted firm capacity (Bcf/d)
    1.147       1.114       1.183       1.113       1.182                  
Transported volumes (Bcf)
    121.7       133.1       143.7       40.9       55.8                  
Gulfstream — 100% basis
                                                       
Transportation capacity (Bcf/d)
    1.063       1.063       1.063       1.077       1.077                  
Contracted firm capacity (Bcf/d)
    0.296       0.731       0.731       0.723       0.723                  
Transported volumes (Bcf)
    110.7       179.7       251.3       47.5       47.7                  
Market Hub — 100% basis
                                                       
Storage capacity (Bcf)
    28.7       29.8       34.8       29.8       34.8                  
 
 
(a) Upon completion of this offering, we anticipate incurring incremental general and administrative expense of approximately $5.5 million per year as a result of being a publicly-traded limited partnership. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not reflect these expenses.
 
(b) Cash available for distribution of Spectra Energy Partners includes the cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub.


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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
We define our Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less our equity in earnings of Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income, and other income (expenses), net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less interest income, and other income, net, which primarily consists of non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries. Our equity share of Gulfstream’s Adjusted EBITDA is 24.5%, and our equity share of Market Hub’s Adjusted EBITDA is 50.0%.
 
We define our cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub, less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Our cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Our pro forma cash available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007, includes our anticipated incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly traded partnership.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances.
 
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors and commercial banks, to assess:
 
  •  the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
 
  •  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on our indebtedness and to make distributions to our partners; and
 
  •  our operating performance and return on invested capital as compared to those of other publicly traded limited partnerships that own energy infrastructure assets, without regard to their financing methods and capital structure.
 
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, while cash available for distribution is a measure we use to assess our ability to make distributions to our unitholders, cash available for distribution should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that we have available for distributions or that we plan to distribute for a given period.


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The following tables present reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution for each of us, Gulfstream and Market Hub to their respective GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided (used) by operating activities on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis as adjusted for this offering.
                                                                 
          Spectra Energy
       
          Partners, LP
       
    Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined     Pro Forma        
          Three Months
          Three Months
       
          Ended
    Year Ended
    Ended
       
    Year Ended December 31,     March 31,     December 31,     March 31,        
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007        
    (In thousands)        
 
Spectra Energy Partners
                                                               
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net Income”
                                                               
Net income
  $ 53,151     $ 56,950     $ 61,608     $ 9,493     $ 19,203     $ 62,615     $ 21,407          
Add:
                                                               
Interest expense
    8,258       8,506       8,151       2,067       2,156       25,133       6,401          
Income tax expense
    9,202       7,834       10,741       1,212       4,733       453       209          
Depreciation and amortization
    21,492       23,640       18,986       4,754       4,969       18,986       4,969          
Less:
                                                               
Interest income
    6       24       15       4       9       7,716       1,934          
Equity in earnings of Gulfstream
    11,081       16,611       16,763       2,331       4,188       16,763       4,188          
Equity in earnings of Market Hub
    24,414       29,676       24,342       4,728       7,197       24,342       7,197          
Other income (expenses), net
    1,485       528       1,765       334       12       1,765       12          
                                                                 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 55,117     $ 50,091     $ 56,601     $ 10,129     $ 19,655     $ 56,601     $ 19,655          
                                                                 
Add:
                                                               
Cash available for distribution from Gulfstream
    17,097       25,480       23,800       7,170       8,852       23,800       8,852          
Cash available for distribution from Market Hub
    21,204       18,753       19,500       5,345       8,131       19,500       8,131          
Less:
                                                               
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a public company
                                  5,500       1,375          
Net cash paid for interest expense (income), net
    12,955       8,566       8,591       6       9       17,672       2,279          
Maintenance capital expenditures
    6,679       8,232       10,933       1,354       895       10,933       895          
                                                                 
Cash available for distribution
  $ 73,784     $ 77,526     $ 80,377     $ 21,284     $ 35,734     $ 65,796     $ 32,089          
                                                                 
                                                                 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities”
                                                               
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 83,987     $ 93,272     $ 62,278     $ 17,099     $ 22,478     $ 63,285     $ 24,590          
Interest income
    (6 )     (24 )     (15 )     (4 )     (9 )     (7,716 )     (1,934 )        
Interest expense
    8,258       8,506       8,151       2,067       2,156       25,133       6,401          
Income taxes
    (21,964 )     3,465       (2,072 )     (3,822 )     3,310       (12,360 )     (1,122 )        
Distributions received from Market Hub
                            (354 )           (354 )        
Distributions received from Gulfstream
    (13,720 )     (29,645 )     (20,335 )     (5,635 )     (3,675 )     (20,335 )     (3,675 )        
Other
          36       314       (3 )     (13 )     314       (13 )        
Changes in operating working capital:
                                                               
Accounts receivable
    848       (934 )     (49 )     1,734       1,714       (49 )     1,714          
Other current assets
    6,294       (6,189 )     878       313       (439 )     878       (439 )        
Accounts payable
    4,787       (1,687 )     798       1,907       (516 )     798       (516 )        
Taxes accrued
    (17,694 )     (7,527 )     3,345       3,668       (1,733 )     3,345       (1,733 )        
Other current liabilities
    3,197       (1,617 )     8,927       4,500       (3,310 )     8,927       (3,310 )        
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
    1,130       (7,565 )     (5,619 )     (11,695 )     46       (5,619 )     46          
                                                                 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 55,117     $ 50,091     $ 56,601     $ 10,129     $ 19,655     $ 56,601     $ 19,655          
                                                                 


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          Spectra Energy
       
          Partners, LP
       
    Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined     Pro Forma        
          Three Months
          Three Months
       
          Ended
    Year Ended
    Ended
       
    Year Ended December 31,     March 31,     December 31,     March 31,        
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007     2006     2007        
    (In thousands)        
 
Add:
                                                               
Cash available for distribution from Gulfstream
    17,097       25,480       23,800       7,170       8,852       23,800       8,852          
Cash available for distribution from Market Hub
    21,204       18,753       19,500       5,345       8,131       19,500       8,131          
Less:
                                                               
Incremental general and administrative expense of being a public company
                                  5,500       1,375          
Net cash paid for interest expense (income), net
    12,955       8,566       8,591       6       9       17,672       2,279          
Maintenance capital expenditures
    6,679       8,232       10,933       1,354       895       10,933       895          
                                                                 
Cash available for distribution
  $ 73,784     $ 77,526     $ 80,377     $ 21,284     $ 35,734     $ 65,796     $ 32,089          
                                                                 


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          Three Months Ended
 
    Year Ended December 31,     March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)              
 
Gulfstream
                                       
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net Income”
                                       
Net income
  $ 45,228     $ 67,800     $ 68,422     $ 9,495     $ 17,094  
Add:
                                       
Interest expense
    9,092       25,540       48,787       12,211       12,124  
Depreciation and amortization
    25,354       29,190       30,406       7,585       7,623  
Less:
                                       
Other income (expenses), net
    3,353       1,783       431       (56 )     494  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 76,321     $ 120,747     $ 147,184     $ 29,346     $ 36,348  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 24.5%
  $ 18,699     $ 29,583     $ 36,060     $ 7,190     $ 8,905  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
    6,349       15,794       49,423              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    190       955       617       81       216  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 69,782     $ 103,998     $ 97,144     $ 29,265     $ 36,132  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 24.5%
  $ 17,097     $ 25,480     $ 23,800     $ 7,170     $ 8,852  
                                         
                                         
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities”
                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 76,617     $ 111,858     $ 107,083     $ 34,176     $ 33,353  
Interest expense
    9,092       25,540       48,787       12,211       12,124  
Other
    (5,571 )     (4,962 )     493       56       (494 )
Changes in operating working capital:
                                       
Accounts receivable
    (420 )     9,698       (3,772 )     (457 )     (278 )
Other current assets
    (3,575 )     143       545       (38 )     (938 )
Accounts payable
    (102 )     2,066       (994 )     (305 )     166  
Accrued taxes
    1,264       (4,861 )     (8,050 )     (3,247 )     6,515  
Accrued interest
    (1,573 )     (6,709 )     687       (12,367 )     (12,366 )
Accrued liabilities
    172       (5,830 )     875       (165 )      
Fuel tracker liabilities
          (2,962 )     2,260       (592 )     (107 )
Other current liabilities
    (223 )     (2,940 )     (3,197 )     0       (0 )
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
    640       (294 )     2,467       74       (1,630 )
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 76,321     $ 120,747     $ 147,184     $ 29,346     $ 36,348  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 24.5%
  $ 18,699     $ 29,583     $ 36,060     $ 7,190     $ 8,905  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
    6,349       15,794       49,423              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    190       955       617       81       216  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%(a)
  $ 69,782     $ 103,998     $ 97,144     $ 29,265     $ 36,132  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 24.5%
  $ 17,097     $ 25,480     $ 23,800     $ 7,170     $ 8,852  
                                         
 
 
(a) Actual member distributions for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were approximately $56,000, $121.0 million and $83.0 million, respectively. In addition, there was a $621.0 million return of capital in 2005.
 


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    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Market Hub
                                       
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net Income”
                                       
Net income
  $ 48,829     $ 59,353     $ 48,684     $ 9,457     $ 14,515  
Add:
                                       
Interest expense
                2,636       33       1,023  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,788       6,938       7,815       1,866       2,077  
Less:
                                       
Interest income
    30       41       11       2       4  
Other income (expenses), net
    1,533       1,146       10,553             157  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 54,054     $ 65,104     $ 48,571     $ 11,354     $ 17,454  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 50.0%
  $ 27,027     $ 32,552     $ 24,286     $ 5,677     $ 8,727  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
                43              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    11,646       27,599       9,528       665       1,192  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 42,408     $ 37,505     $ 39,000     $ 10,689     $ 16,262  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 50.0%
  $ 21,204     $ 18,753     $ 19,500     $ 5,345     $ 8,131  
                                         
                                         
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Cash Available for Distribution” to GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities”
                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 42,904     $ 62,278     $ 168,771     $ 9,403     $ 16,715  
Interest income
    (30 )     (41 )     (11 )     (2 )     (4 )
Interest expense
                2,636       33       1,023  
Other
    6       (10 )                 (157 )
Changes in operating working capital:
                                       
Accounts receivable
    36,682       (16,306 )     (5,944 )     121       (7,349 )
Inventory
    808       3,137       (6,113 )     (335 )     183  
Other current assets
    (260 )                 1,891       2,106  
Accounts payable
    (1,593 )     363       (4,804 )            
Accrued taxes
    214       506       (379 )     (945 )     582  
Collateral liabilities
    (1,799 )     (491 )     (56,341 )     130        
Other accrued liabilities
    (22,852 )     14,587       (2,638 )     799       3,687  
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
    (26 )     1,081       (46,606 )     259       668  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — 100%
  $ 54,054     $ 65,104     $ 48,571     $ 11,354     $ 17,454  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA — our 50.0%
  $ 27,027     $ 32,552     $ 24,286     $ 5,677     $ 8,727  
                                         
Less:
                                       
Net cash paid for interest expense
                43              
Maintenance capital expenditures
    11,646       27,599       9,528       665       1,192  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — 100%
  $ 42,408     $ 37,505     $ 39,000     $ 10,689     $ 16,262  
                                         
Cash available for distribution — our 50.0%
  $ 21,204     $ 18,753     $ 19,500     $ 5,345     $ 8,131  
                                         

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and notes and our pro forma financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Because of the significance of our investments in Gulfstream and Market Hub, we include separate historical financial statements and notes of Gulfstream and Market Hub in this prospectus as well as additional discussion of their financial condition and results of operations presented below. You should read this analysis in conjunction with the historical financial statements of Gulfstream and Market Hub and the notes to those financial statements found elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
Overview
 
We are a Delaware limited partnership recently formed by Spectra Energy to own and operate natural gas transportation and storage assets. Our initial assets consist of the following:
 
  •  East Tennessee System.   We own and operate 100% of the approximately 1,400-mile East Tennessee interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from central Tennessee eastward into southwest Virginia and northern North Carolina, and southward into northern Georgia. East Tennessee also owns and operates an LNG storage facility in Kingsport, Tennessee with working gas storage capacity of approximately 1.0 Bcf and regasification capability of 150 MMcf/d.
 
  •  Gulfstream System.   We own a 24.5% interest in the approximately 690-mile Gulfstream interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from Pascagoula, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama across the Gulf of Mexico and into central Florida.
 
  •  Market Hub System.   We own a 50.0% interest in Market Hub, which owns and operates two high-deliverability salt cavern natural gas storage facilities located in Louisiana and Texas with aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 Bcf.
 
Our Organic Growth Initiatives
 
Each of our systems has recently been expanded, is undergoing current expansion or presents additional organic growth opportunities for future expansion. We have budgeted approximately $110 million for all of our planned growth capital expenditures through 2008, including our related capital contributions to Gulfstream and Market Hub. Examples of our organic expansion projects include:
 
  •  East Tennessee System Expansions.   Since acquiring East Tennessee in 2000 we have completed expansions that have doubled its market delivery capability from 668 MMcf/d to 1.3 Bcf/d. Our recently completed, approximately $300 million Patriot Extension contributed approximately 400 MMcf/d of capacity to this total and for the first time linked East Tennessee with markets in North Carolina and the broader Mid-Atlantic region. The addition of this new market has allowed East Tennessee to pursue additional greenfield expansions such as the approximately $60 million Jewell Ridge Lateral, which added capacity of up to 228 MMcf/d for delivery of additional Appalachian production to East Tennessee customers. Spectra Energy is currently evaluating additional storage projects at its Saltville storage facility to provide supply flexibility to the markets served on each end of the East Tennessee system. We believe the East Tennessee expansion projects will offer additional organic growth opportunities as those assets are further expanded.
 
  •  Gulfstream System Expansions.   Two fully-contracted expansion projects are currently being pursued for Gulfstream to increase its utilization and total system capacity. The estimated $135 million Phase III project will extend the pipeline to a new market, enabling us to fully subscribe Gulfstream’s existing mainline capacity. The estimated $117 million Phase IV project will add compression and extend the pipeline to a new market, increasing Gulfstream’s mainline capacity from 1.1 Bcf/d to 1.25 Bcf/d by early 2009. Both of these expansions are fully-supported by customer contracts with 23-year initial terms and have applications pending with FERC for approval.


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  Our 24.5% share of the remaining expansion costs for both Phase III and Phase IV is expected to be approximately $51.3 million. In addition, in June 2007 Gulfstream initiated an open season seeking customer interest for incremental contract capacity additions commencing as early as 2011.
 
  •  Market Hub System Expansions.   Expansion projects are currently being pursued at Market Hub’s Egan, Louisiana storage facility to increase its aggregate working gas storage capacity from its current capacity of 20 Bcf to 24 Bcf by 2008. An application is currently pending with FERC for approval to further expand Egan to 32 Bcf by 2012. An expansion is also underway to increase the natural gas injection capability of Egan. This estimated $50 million expansion will be placed into service during the summer of 2007, adding approximately 22,800 horsepower of compression and increasing Egan’s injection capacity by approximately 0.5 Bcf/d to approximately 1.3 Bcf/d. Our 50% share of the remaining expansion costs for all of these projects is expected to be approximately $73.8 million. In addition, since acquiring Market Hub in 2000, Spectra Energy has expanded the storage capacity at Moss Bluff by approximately 4 Bcf and is currently considering additional capacity expansions.
 
We intend to finance our expansion projects with an appropriate combination of equity and debt. In addition, any refusal by FERC to issue certificate authorization for one or more of these projects may mean that we cannot pursue these projects or that they are constructed in a manner and with capacities that we do not currently anticipate.
 
Factors that Impact our Business
 
The high percentage of our business derived from capacity reservation fees mitigates the risk to us of revenue fluctuations due to near-term changes in natural gas supply and demand conditions. However, all of our businesses can be negatively affected by sustained downturns or sluggishness in the economy in general, and are impacted by shifts in supply and demand dynamics, the mix of services requested by our customers, and changes in regulatory requirements affecting our operations. Short-term contracts and interruptible service arrangements are not a significant component of our revenue; however, these services can be impacted positively or negatively to varying degrees by natural gas price volatility and other factors beyond our control. We mitigate our exposure to natural gas prices by contracting our available transportation capacity on long-term, fixed-rate arrangements that effectively isolate us from the effects of short-term natural gas price volatility.
 
We believe the key factors that impact our business are the supply of and demand for natural gas in the markets in which we operate; our customers and their requirements; and government regulation of natural gas pipelines and storage systems. These key factors, discussed in more detail below, play an important role in how we evaluate our operations and implement our long-term strategies.
 
Supply and Demand Dynamics
 
To effectively manage our business, we monitor our market areas for both short-term and long-term shifts in natural gas supply and demand. Our natural gas transportation business links sources of natural gas supply to customers in market demand areas, and our storage services allow our customers to manage volatility in natural gas supply and demand, as well as price, throughout our markets. A shift in the supply of natural gas or the demand for natural gas in a particular market impacts the demand for our services in that market. Changes in natural gas supply such as new discoveries of natural gas reserves, declining production in older fields and the introduction of new sources of natural gas supply, such as imported LNG, affect the demand for our services from both producers and consumers. As these supply dynamics shift, we anticipate that we will actively pursue projects that link these new sources of supply to producers and consumers willing to contract for transportation or storage on a long-term firm basis. Changes in demographics, the amount of natural gas fired power generation, and shifts in residential usage affect the overall demand for natural gas. In turn, our customers, which include LDCs, utilities and power generators, increase or decrease their demand for our services as a result of these changes. As customer demand dynamics change, we anticipate that we will create new services or capacity arrangements that meet their


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long-term requirements. As a result of a substantial majority of our capacity being reserved on a long-term, fixed-rate fee basis, our revenues are not significantly affected by variations in customers’ actual usage resulting from commodity price volatility.
 
Customers
 
We transport and store natural gas for a broad mix of customers, including LDCs, utilities, direct industrial users, electric power generators, marketers, producers or other suppliers, and interstate and intrastate pipelines. In addition to serving directly connected Southeastern markets, our pipeline and storage systems have access to customers in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States through numerous interconnections with major pipelines. Our customers use our transportation and storage services for a variety of reasons. LDCs and electric power generators typically require a secure and reliable supply of natural gas over a sustained period of time to meet the needs of their customers. Frequently, these types of customers will enter into long-term firm transportation and storage contracts to ensure both a ready supply of natural gas and sufficient transportation capacity over the life of the contract. Producers of natural gas require the ability to deliver their product to market. Producers frequently enter into firm transportation contracts to ensure that they will have sufficient capacity available to deliver their product to delivery points with greater market liquidity. Marketers that generate income from buying and selling natural gas use our storage and transportation services to capitalize on price differentials over time or between markets. Generally demand for our storage services from marketers increases with natural gas price volatility. Our customer mix can vary over time and largely depends on the natural gas supply and demand dynamics in our markets.
 
Regulation
 
Government regulation of natural gas transportation and storage has a significant impact on our business. Our rates are regulated under FERC rate-making policies, and, in the case of our storage facility in Texas, by the TRC. FERC regulatory policies govern the rates that each pipeline is permitted to charge customers for interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. Under certain circumstances we are permitted to enter into contracts with customers under “negotiated rates” that differ from the rates imposed by FERC. From time to time, certain revenues collected may be subject to possible refunds upon final FERC orders. For more information see “— Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Cost-Based Regulation” and “Business — Regulation — FERC Regulation.” Accordingly, estimates of rate refund reserves are recorded considering regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel and our evaluation of the net cumulative effect of all undecided regulatory matters, as well as other risks. The operations and maintenance of our assets are also governed by other federal and state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Transportation. For more information see “Business — Regulation” and “Business — Safety and Maintenance.”
 
How We Evaluate Our Operations
 
We evaluate our business on the basis of the following key measures:
 
  •  our contract mix and percentage of physical capacity sold, particularly the component of services that we provide under firm and interruptible contracts;
 
  •  our operating, general and administrative expenses;
 
  •  our Adjusted EBITDA; and
 
  •  our estimated cash available for distribution.
 
Contract Mix and Percentage of Physical Capacity Sold
 
We compete for transportation and storage customers based on the specific type of service a customer needs, operating flexibility, available capacity and price. We provide a significant portion of our transportation and storage services through firm contracts and derive a smaller portion of our revenues through


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interruptible contracts. We seek to maximize the portion of our physical capacity sold under firm contracts. To the extent that physical capacity that is contracted for firm service is not being fully utilized, we can contract such capacity for interruptible service. The table below sets forth certain information regarding our assets, our contracts and our revenues, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006:
 
                                                 
                            % of Physical
       
          Revenue Composition %
          Capacity
       
          Firm Contracts           Subscribed
    Weighted Average
 
          Capacity
    Variable
    Interruptible
    Under Firm
    Remaining Contract
 
Asset
  Our Ownership %     Reservation Fees     Fees     Contracts     Contracts     Life (in years)(1)  
 
East Tennessee
    100.0 %     97.7 %     1.7 %     0.6 %     89.7 %     9.3  
Gulfstream
    24.5 %     85.6 %     2.9 %     11.5 %     68.7 %     20.2  
Market Hub
    50.0 %     90.0 %     0.0 %     10.0 %     100.0 %     2.4  
 
 
(1) The average life of each contract is calculated based on the average annual contract revenue for such contract’s remaining life.
 
Firm transportation service requires us to reserve pipeline capacity for a customer between certain receipt and delivery points. Firm customers generally pay a “demand” or “capacity reservation” fee based on the amount of capacity being reserved regardless of whether the capacity is used, plus a usage fee. Firm storage customers also reserve a specific amount of storage capacity, including injection and withdrawal rights, and generally pay a capacity reservation charge based on the amount of capacity being reserved plus an injection and/or withdrawal fee. Annual capacity reservation revenues derived from firm service generally remain constant over the life of the contract because the revenues are generated based upon the capacity reserved and not whether the capacity is actually used. The high percentage of our business derived from capacity reservation fees mitigates the risk to us of revenue fluctuations due to changes in near-term supply and demand conditions, and our ability to maintain or increase the amount of firm service we provide is key to assuring a consistent revenue stream.
 
Interruptible transportation and storage service is typically short term in nature and is generally used by customers that either do not need firm service or have been unable to contract for firm service. These customers pay only for the volume of gas actually transported or stored. Our obligation to provide this service is limited to available capacity not otherwise used by our firm customers, and customers receiving services under interruptible contracts are not assured capacity in our pipeline or storage facilities. We provide our interruptible service at competitive prices in order to position ourselves to capture short term market opportunities as they occur. We view interruptible service as an important part of our strategy to optimize revenues from our assets.
 
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Our operating, general and administrative expenses typically do not vary significantly based upon the amount of gas we transport or store. We obtain in-kind fuel reimbursements from shippers in accordance with each individual tariff or applicable contract terms. While expenses may not materially vary with throughput, our expenses can vary significantly from period to period. The timing of our expenditures during a year generally fluctuate with customer demands as we typically schedule planned maintenance during off-peak periods. Additionally, fluctuations in project development costs are impacted by the level of project development activity during a period and the timing of project approval. Changes in regulation can also impact our maintenance requirements and affect the timing and amount of our costs and expenditures. As an example, the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 set new standards for pipelines in assessing the safety and reliability of the pipeline infrastructure and we have incurred and will continue to incur additional costs, as have other pipelines, to meet these standards. For more information see “Business — Safety and Maintenance.”
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
We define our Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less our equity in earnings of Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income, and other


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income (expenses), net, which primarily consists of non-cash allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, and certain other items such as insurance recoveries. Our Adjusted EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and is defined differently by different companies in our industry, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, commercial banks and others, to assess:
 
  •  the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
 
  •  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on our indebtedness and to make distributions to our partners; and
 
  •  our operating performance and return on invested capital as compared to those of other publicly traded limited partnerships that own energy infrastructure assets, without regard to their financing methods and capital structure.
 
Cash Available for Distribution
 
We define our cash available for distribution as our Adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub, less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Our cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Our pro forma cash available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006, and for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2007, also includes our incremental general and administrative expense of being a publicly-traded partnership.
 
For Gulfstream and Market Hub, we define cash available for distribution as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances.
 
Cash available for distribution should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that we have available for distributions or that we plan to distribute for a given period.
 
Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, cash from operations or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For a reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please see “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data — Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”


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Results of Operations — Combined Overview
 
The following table and discussion is a summary of our combined results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007. The results of operations for Gulfstream and Market Hub are discussed in further detail following this combined overview discussion.
 
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating Revenues
                                       
Transportation of natural gas
  $ 69,242     $ 77,553     $ 80,531     $ 20,938     $ 24,950  
Transportation of natural gas — affiliates
    9,352       150       46       54        
Storage of natural gas and other
    3,122       2,300       2,032       1,229       1,483  
                                         
Total operating revenues
    81,716       80,003       82,609       22,221       26,433  
                                         
Operating Expenses
                                       
Operations, maintenance and other
    19,679       16,680       8,970       6,420       3,587  
Operations, maintenance and other — affiliates
    6,402       7,968       12,861       4,066       3,318  
Depreciation and amortization
    21,492       23,640       18,986       4,754       4,969  
Property and other taxes
    518       5,264       4,177       1,607       (127 )
                                         
Total operating expenses
    48,091       53,552       44,994       16,847       11,747  
                                         
Operating Income
    33,625       26,451       37,615       5,374       14,686  
                                         
Other Income and Expenses
                                       
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    35,495       46,287       41,105       7,059       11,385  
Other income, net
    1,485       528       1,765       335       12  
                                         
Total other income and expenses
    36,980       46,815       42,870       7,394       11,397  
                                         
Interest Income
    6       24       15       4       9  
Interest Expense
    8,258       8,506       8,151       2,067       2,156  
                                         
Earnings before Income Taxes
    62,353       64,784       72,349       10,705       23,936  
                                         
Income Tax Expense
    9,202       7,834       10,741       1,212       4,733  
                                         
Net Income
  $ 53,151     $ 56,950     $ 61,608     $ 9,493     $ 19,203  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA(a)(b)
  $ 55,117     $ 50,091     $ 56,601     $ 10,129     $ 19,655  
Cash Available for Distribution(b)(c)
  $ 73,784     $ 77,526     $ 80,378     $ 21,284     $ 35,734  
 
 
(a) We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization less our equity in earnings of Gulfstream and Market Hub, interest income, and other income (expenses), net, which primarily includes non-cash AFUDC and certain other items such as insurance recoveries.
 
(b) For a reconciliation of this measure to its most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please see “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data — Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
 
(c) We define cash available for distribution as our Adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream and Market Hub, less net cash paid for interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Our cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances.


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Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
 
Operating Revenues  — Combined operating revenues increased $4.2 million or 19% for the three month period in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to net increases from new firm transportation contracts, $2.8 million of which relates to new capacity from the Jewell Ridge expansion project placed into service in 2006.
 
Operating Expenses  — Combined operating expenses decreased by $5.1 million or 30% for the three month period in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The decrease was primarily due to $3.2 million in higher project development costs from the Jewell Ridge project expensed in the 2006 period and a $1.7 million reduction in property and other taxes due to the resolution of ad valorem tax matters in 2007.
 
      Other Income and Expenses
 
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates  — Combined equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased $4.3 million or 61% for the three month period in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase is attributable to increased equity in earnings of $2.5 million from Market Hub, and $1.9 million from Gulfstream. For the factors impacting Gulfstream’s and Market Hub’s earnings, see the discussion included below of the results of operations of Gulfstream and Market Hub.
 
Other Income and (Expenses), Net  — Combined other income and (expenses), net decreased by $323 thousand for the three month period in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. This decrease was primarily due to the equity component of allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) in 2006 as a result of 2006 construction activity on the Jewell Ridge project.
 
Income Tax Expense  — Combined income tax expense increased by $3.5 million for the three month period in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. This increase was primarily attributable to increased taxable income at East Tennessee.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2005
 
Operating Revenues  — Combined operating revenues increased slightly by $2.6 million in 2006 compared to 2005. The increase was primarily due to a $2.6 million net increase from new firm transportation contracts.
 
Operating Expenses  — Combined operating expenses decreased by $8.6 million or 16% in 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease was primarily due to the following factors:
 
  •  the capitalization in 2006 of $11.4 million in development costs related to the Jewell Ridge project, approximately $5.6 million of which was incurred and recognized as operating expense in prior periods;
 
  •  a decrease of $5.0 million in depreciation expense due to an increase in the estimated useful lives of certain assets, as agreed to in a negotiated rate settlement with customers of East Tennessee and approved by FERC; partially offset by:
 
  —  a $4.8 million increase in operations costs due to overhauls of two compressor units and a $1.2 million increase in insurance costs as a result of higher insurance market rates; and
 
  —  $3.0 million in increased non-recurring allocations from Spectra Energy Capital, LLC, or Spectra Energy Capital, related to financial re-engineering and other project costs.
 
      Other Income and Expenses
 
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates  — Combined equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates decreased $5.2 million or 11% in 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease is attributable to decreased equity in earnings of $5.2 million from Market Hub, while equity in earnings from Gulfstream did not change from 2006 to 2005. For the factors impacting Gulfstream’s and Market Hub’s earnings, see the discussion included below of the results of operations of Gulfstream and Market Hub.


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Other Income and (Expenses), Net  — Combined other income and (expenses), net increased by $1.2 million in 2006 compared to 2005. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the equity component of AFUDC in 2006 as a result of the 2006 construction activity on the Jewell Ridge Lateral project.
 
Income Tax Expense  — Combined income tax expense increased by $2.9 million or 37% in 2006 compared to 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to increased taxable income at East Tennessee.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2004
 
Operating Revenues  — Combined operating revenues decreased slightly by $1.7 million in 2005 compared to 2004. The decrease was due to the elimination of facility rentals and the elimination of a Gas Research Institute surcharge as well as reduced rates associated with the East Tennessee rate settlement.
 
Operating Expenses  — Combined operating expenses increased by $5.5 million or 11% in 2005 compared to 2004. The increase was due to the following factors:
 
  •  a $6.0 million increase in project development costs, mostly related to the Jewell Ridge project;
 
  •  a $4.8 million increase in property and other taxes primarily due to an adjustment of tax reserves in 2004 associated with the resolution of outstanding ad valorem tax matters;
 
  •  a higher depreciation expense of $1.8 million related to the Patriot Extension project that was placed into service; partially offset by:
 
  •  a $5.2 million net increase of in-kind fuel recoveries from customers in 2004 in excess of the cost of compressor fuel used; and
 
  •  a $2.5 million decrease due to increased capitalized cost due to a higher level of construction activity.
 
      Other Income and Expense
 
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates  — Combined equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased $10.8 million or 30% in 2005 compared to 2004. The increase is attributable to increased equity in earnings of $5.5 million from Gulfstream and increased equity in earnings from Market Hub of $5.3 million in 2005 compared to 2004. For the factors impacting Gulfstream and Market Hub’s earnings see the discussion included below of the results of operations of Gulfstream and Market Hub.
 
Other Income and (expenses), net  — Combined other income and (expenses), net decreased by $0.9 million in 2005 compared to 2004, as a result of higher equity AFUDC in 2004 related to construction of the Patriot project.
 
Income Tax Expense  — Combined income tax expense decreased by $1.4 million or 15% in 2005 compared to 2004. This net decrease was attributable to a decrease in the taxable income at East Tennessee.
 
     Results of Operations — Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
We account for Gulfstream and Market Hub using the equity method of accounting. As such, our 24.5% interest in Gulfstream’s net operating results and our 50.0% interest in Market Hub’s net operating results are reflected as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Due to the significance of Gulfstream’s and Market Hub’s equity in earnings to our results of operations, the following discussion addresses in greater detail the results of operations for 100% of Gulfstream and 100% of Market Hub.
 


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    Years Ended December 31,     Three Months Ended March 31,  
Gulfstream   2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 93,615     $ 145,104     $ 180,257     $ 39,199     $ 37,970  
Operating Expenses
    42,648       53,547       63,479       17,437       9,245  
Other Income and Expenses
    3,353       1,783       431       (56 )     493  
Interest Expense
    9,092       25,540       48,787       12,211       12,124  
                                         
Net Income
  $ 45,228     $ 67,800     $ 68,422     $ 9,495     $ 17,094  
                                         
Our 24.5% share
  $ 11,081     $ 16,611     $ 16,763     $ 2,326     $ 4,188  
                                         
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
 
Gulfstream’s net income increased by $7.6 million to $17.1 million or 80% for the three month period in 2007 from $9.5 million for the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to the following factors:
 
  •  an $8.2 million decrease in operating expenses primarily due to the resolution of ad valorem tax matters in 2007; partially offset by
 
  •  a $1.2 million decrease in operating revenue primarily caused by a $0.7 million decrease in short-term and variable firm transportation revenues and $0.4 million in lower interruptible transportation revenues.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2006 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2005
 
Gulfstream’s net income increased slightly by $0.6 million to $68.4 million in 2006 from $67.8 million in 2005. The increase was primarily due to the following factors:
 
  •  a $38.5 million increase in natural gas transportation revenues primarily due to a significant new firm transportation contract; offset by
 
  •  a $3.3 million decrease in other revenue due to lower interruptible services;
 
  •  a $9.9 million increase in operating and maintenance expenses primarily due to $2.9 million of increased development costs for Phase III and Phase IV expansion projects, and $2.8 million of higher property and liability premiums due to increased insurance rates for wind-storm insurance coverage, and $2.7 million increase in Florida property taxes; and
 
  •  a $23.2 million increase in interest expense primarily as a result of $850 million in project financing entered into in October 2005.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2005 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2004
 
Gulfstream’s net income increased by $22.6 million or 50% in 2005 compared to 2004. This increase was principally due to the following factors:
 
  •  a $49.9 million increase in natural gas transportation revenues primarily due to Phase II firm transportation contracts that began in February 2005 when these facilities were placed into service, and new interruptible transportation contracts; partially offset by:
 
  •  $3.8 million increase in depreciation and amortization expenses due to the placement of Phase II in-service in February 2005;
 
  •  $7.2 million increase in property and other taxes due to ad valorem tax on Phase II assets placed into service in February 2005; and
 
  •  $16.4 million increase in interest expense due to debt at Gulfstream issued in 2005, described above.

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Market Hub
                                         
          Three Months
 
    Years Ended December 31,     Ended March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 65,843     $ 77,929     $ 78,804     $ 16,631     $ 20,817  
Operating Expenses
    18,577       19,763       38,048       7,143       5,441  
Other Income and Expenses
    1,533       1,146       10,553             158  
Interest (Expense)/Income
    30       41       (2,625 )     (31 )     (1,019 )
                                         
Net Income
  $ 48,829     $ 59,353     $ 48,684     $ 9,457     $ 14,515  
                                         
Our 50% share
  $ 24,415     $ 29,677     $ 24,342     $ 4,729     $ 7,258  
                                         
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
 
Market Hub’s net income increased $5.1 million or 53% to $14.5 million for the three month period in 2007 from $9.5 million for the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to the following factors:
 
  •  A $4.2 million increase in operating revenues primarily due to $3.4 million in increased storage revenues associated with higher rates and $1.0 million from increased short-term services; and
 
  •  A $1.6 million decrease in operating expenses due primarily to a $2.0 million reduction in property and other taxes due to the resolution of ad valorem tax matters in 2007; and
 
  •  A $1.0 million increase in interest expense owed to an affiliate for credit-related deposits made by such affiliate to secure certain commercial activities on Market Hub.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2006 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2005
 
Market Hub’s net income decreased by $10.7 million or 18% in 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease was primarily due to the following factors:
 
  •  an $18.3 million increase in operating expenses primarily attributable to a $10.0 million increase in net in-kind fuel costs incurred over reimbursements from customers, $3.8 million in higher operations costs due to compressor overhauls and general maintenance and a $1.2 million increase in corporate cost allocations; partially offset by:
 
  •  a $9.4 million net increase in gains from asset dispositions, principally due to the recognition of a $9.8 million gain from the involuntary conversion of an asset arising from the property insurance settlement related to the 2004 cavern well-head fire at Moss Bluff; and
 
  •  a $0.9 million increase in operating revenues, primarily due to a $9.1 million increase in firm storage revenues due to expanded storage capacity and higher rates and a $2.8 million increase in interruptible storage revenues partially offset by a $6.2 million net reduction in business interruption insurance proceeds associated with lost revenue related to the 2004 cavern well-head fire at Moss Bluff and a $4.2 million decrease in net in-kind fuel recoveries over incurred fuel cost.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2005 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2004
 
Market Hub’s net income increased by $10.5 million or 22% in 2005 compared to 2004. This increase was principally due to the following factors:
 
  •  a $12.1 million increase in operating revenues, due to the receipt of $8.0 million from a business interruption insurance claim in 2005 to reimburse Moss Bluff for revenue lost in 2004 due to the cavern well-head fire in 2004, described above and $4.2 million for net in-kind fuel recoveries over incurred fuel costs in 2005 compared to 2004; and
 
  •  a $1.2 million increase in operating expenses, primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in corporate cost allocations.


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Future Trends and Outlook
 
We expect our business to continue to be affected by the following key trends. Our expectations are based on assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. To the extent our underlying assumptions about or interpretations of available information prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from our expected results. Please see “Risk Factors.”
 
Benefits from System Expansions.   We expect that our results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2007 and thereafter will benefit from increased revenues associated with expansion projects recently completed or currently planned. For example, East Tennessee’s Jewell Ridge Lateral project completed in the fourth quarter of 2006 and its Patriot Extension project initially placed in service in 2003 are now generating increased revenues following significant capital expenditures during their development. Two fully-contracted expansion projects are currently being pursued for Gulfstream that will extend the system into South Florida and will increase its market delivery capability from 1.1 Bcf/d to 1.25 Bcf/d by early 2009, subject to Gulfstream’s receipt of approval for its pending applications with FERC. In addition, expansion projects are being pursued at Market Hub’s Egan storage facility, to increase its aggregate working gas storage capacity from a current capacity of 20 Bcf to 24 Bcf by 2008. An application is currently pending with FERC to further expand Egan to 32 Bcf by 2012. An expansion is also underway to increase the natural gas injection capability at Egan. This expansion will be placed into service during the summer of 2007, adding 22,800 horsepower of compression and increasing Egan’s injection capability by 0.5 Bcf/d to approximately 1.3 Bcf/d.
 
Prior to commencing construction of expansions of interstate pipeline and storage facilities, a natural gas company must obtain certificate authorization from FERC. Applications are pending before FERC for certificate authorization for Gulfstream’s Phase III and Phase IV projects and for Market Hub’s expansion project designed to increase working gas storage capacity at the Egan storage facility from 24 Bcf to 32 Bcf.
 
Growing Markets.   According to the EIA, overall demand for natural gas consumption in the markets we serve is expected to grow by approximately 2.1% per year for the period from 2006-2012. We believe this growth will be driven by the construction of new natural gas fired electric generation plants in Florida and elsewhere to meet both a growing population base and a growing per capita demand for electricity. With the recent trend towards natural gas fired electric generation, demand for natural gas during the summer months to satisfy cooling requirements is now increasing. For example, according to the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, natural gas used for electric generation in the Florida market is expected to grow by approximately 7.1% per year for the period from 2006-2015, from 556 Bcf in 2006 to 1,033 Bcf in 2015. Please see “Business — Natural Gas Industry Overview.”
 
Diversity of Supply Sources.   Domestic gas production in the United States is not expected to keep pace with domestic consumption. According to the EIA, production in the lower 48 states is estimated to grow 0.7% per year, from 50.1 Bcf/d in 2006 to 54.3 Bcf/d in 2012, while U.S. natural gas demand in 2012 is estimated to be 67.3 Bcf/d. While supply in some areas in which we operate is increasing due to new discoveries and increased production, traditional supply in other areas in which we operate is beginning to decline. As supply from these areas declines, or becomes less attractive because of vulnerability to hurricanes and other disruptions, the national supply profile is shifting to new, and, in some cases, to non-conventional sources of gas, including basins in the Mid-Continent and Appalachia. A significant portion of the supply shortfall is expected to be met through LNG imports, which are expected to be delivered predominately through terminals along the Gulf Coast.
 
Influence of LNG Imports.   LNG is expected to become an important part of the U.S. energy market. According to the EIA, LNG’s share of total U.S. gas supply could be as high as 17% by 2025. Unlike domestic production, however, LNG supply does not provide a steady stream of supply because deliveries are driven by spot prices that fluctuate with market dynamics. Given the extensive pipeline infrastructure and available gas processing capability in and around the region, the Gulf Coast is the target for approximately 15 of the 40 proposed U.S. onshore and offshore LNG terminals. LNG projects for this area are, on average, larger than those planned for other U.S. locations. In addition, due to the large existing industrial base located in the region and less anticipated resistance from the local population, many of these


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projects may obtain the necessary regulatory approvals and be developed more expeditiously than proposed projects located in other areas of the country. Please see “Business — Natural Gas Industry Overview.”
 
Growth of Natural Gas Storage Facilities.   Natural gas storage is becoming an increasingly important factor in the natural gas transportation marketplace, and will play a significant role in handling the increased deliveries of LNG expected in the coming years. As a consequence, a substantial number of natural gas storage projects have been announced and are under development, especially in the Texas and Louisiana areas. According to an October 2006 EIA report, as of July 2006, there were 38 underground storage projects underway in the United States with expected in-service dates between 2006 and 2008, of which 15 are new facilities and 23 are expansions. These projects, assuming full implementation, would increase the working gas capacity in the U.S. by 5% by the end of 2008, and include 16 storage projects underway in the Southwest (including Texas and Louisiana). The Southwestern region of the United States has the highest number of high-deliverability, salt-cavern storage facilities, and the demand for this type of storage is expected to continue to grow. Although an increased supply of storage competing with Market Hub’s storage facilities could negatively impact our operations, we believe our facilities are well positioned to take advantage of future growth opportunities.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our ability to finance operations, including to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, to meet our indebtedness obligations, to refinance our indebtedness or to meet collateral requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the impact of regulators on our ability to establish transportation and storage rates. Please see “Risk Factors.”
 
Historically, our sources of liquidity included cash generated from operations, cash received from Gulfstream and Market Hub, external debt and funding from Spectra Energy Capital. As mentioned previously, Market Hub was formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy Capital and did not make distributions to its members. Market Hub will be required to make distributions of its available cash to its partners following this offering. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Contracts with Affiliates — Market Hub.” Our cash receipts were historically deposited in Spectra Energy Capital’s bank accounts and cash disbursements were made from those accounts. Consequently, our historical financial statements have reflected no cash balances. Cash transactions processed on our behalf by Spectra Energy Capital were reflected in parent net investment as intercompany advances between us and Spectra Energy Capital. Following this offering, we plan to maintain our own bank accounts but will continue to rely on Spectra Energy personnel to manage our cash and investments through our management arrangements with Spectra Energy.
 
Subsequent to this offering, we expect our sources of liquidity to include:
 
  •  the retention of a portion of the proceeds from our initial public offering, as described below;
 
  •  cash generated from operations;
 
  •  cash distributions received from Market Hub and Gulfstream;
 
  •  borrowings under our $500 million credit facility;
 
  •  cash realized from the liquidation of qualifying investment grade securities that will be pledged under our credit facility;
 
  •  issuances of additional partnership units; and,
 
  •  debt offerings.


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Our cash position as of March 31, 2007:
 
                 
    As of March 31, 2007  
    Historical     Pro Forma  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash
  $     $ 9,946  
Short-term investments
          145,300  
                 
Total cash and short-term investments
  $     $ 155,246  
                 
 
You should also read this table in conjunction with “Capitalization”.
 
The sum of the restricted net assets at East Tennessee of $234 million and our proportionate undistributed earnings of Market Hub of $120 million amounts to 36% of our net assets as of March 31, 2007. Gulfstream had no undistributed earnings as of March 31, 2007. There may be a significant restriction on the ability of East Tennessee, Market Hub and Gulfstream to transfer funds to Spectra Energy Partners, LP by means of intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends. Please see “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions — General — Limitations on Cash Distributions and our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy,” which describes the cash distribution requirements of Gulfstream and Market Hub.
 
We expect to use the retained $10.0 million to fund working capital. We believe that cash generated from these sources will be sufficient to meet our short-term working capital requirements, long-term capital expenditure requirements and quarterly cash distributions.
 
Working Capital
 
Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. Our working capital requirements will be primarily driven by changes in accounts receivable and accounts payable. These changes are primarily impacted by such factors as credit and the timing of collections from customers and the level of spending for maintenance and expansion activity.
 
We had working capital deficiencies of ($7.6) million as of March 31, 2007, compared to working capital deficiencies of ($4.8) million and ($20.2) million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. This negative working capital was created by the historical treasury management arrangements with Spectra Energy Capital described above.
 
Changes in the terms of our transportation and storage arrangements have a direct impact on our generation and use of cash from operations due to their impact on net income, along with the resulting changes in working capital. A material adverse change in operations or available financing may impact our ability to fund our requirements for liquidity and capital resources.
 
Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor Combined Cash Flow
 
Combined net cash provided by operating activities, combined net cash (used in) provided by investing activities and combined net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 were as follows:
 
                                         
          Three Months
 
    For the Years Ended December 31,     Ended March 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 83,987     $ 93,272     $ 62,278     $ 17,099     $ 22,478  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (34,269 )     92,827       (85,910 )     (10,841 )     (1,932 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (49,718 )     (186,099 )     23,632       (6,258 )     (20,547 )
 
The investing and financing activities for our combined cash flows in 2005 were impacted by debt financing at Gulfstream. In October 2005, Gulfstream issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of


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5.56% Senior Notes due 2015 and $350 million aggregate principal amount of 6.19% Senior Notes due 2025. The proceeds were used by Gulfstream to pay off a construction loan and the balance of the proceeds, net of transaction costs, of approximately $620 million was distributed to the partners based upon their ownership percentages. Our 24.5% share of this special distribution was $152.1 million, which was a return of capital that we had invested in Gulfstream during the construction period and which was recorded as a cash inflow from investing activities. We then distributed this cash to Spectra Energy, which was reflected as a $152.1 million cash outflow from financing activities. This distribution was in addition to a distribution of $29.6 million included in 2005 cash provided from operating activities.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
 
Operating Activities  — Combined net cash provided by operating activities increased $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to a $14.7 million increase from reduced settlements of payables and accrued liabilities and a $1.8 million increase due to increased collections of receivables partially offset by a $6.2 million decrease in funds from net income, excluding equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates and changes in deferred taxes, and a $1.6 million reduction in distributions from equity investees.
 
Investing Activities  — Most of the quarterly fluctuations in investing activities can be attributed to a $9.6 million reduction in expansion capital expenditures. The reduction was primarily due to the completion of the Jewell Ridge expansion project in 2006.
 
Financing Activities — Prior to our initial public offering, all of our cash flow was distributed as a dividend to Spectra Energy. As a result, the changes in cash flow from operations and investing activities impacted our cash flow from financing activities. Most of the quarter-over-quarter fluctuation in financing activities is due to cash flow from operating and investing activities. For quarter one 2007 compared to quarter one 2006 the increase in cash distributed to Spectra Energy is the result of additional cash provided from operations and a reduction of cash used for investing activity due to the reduction of expansion capital expenditures.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2006 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2005
 
Operating Activities  — Combined net cash provided by operating activities decreased $31.0 million in 2006 compared to 2005, primarily due to $9.3 million in decreased distributions from Gulfstream and higher cash utilized for working capital of $33.8 million partially offset by lower current tax expense of $5.5 million, lower operations and maintenance expenses of $2.8 million, higher revenues of $2.6 million and other items of $1.2 million. The cash utilized for working capital increase of $33.8 million was comprised of $10.9 million of increased cash utilized for accrued taxes, $10.5 million for other current liabilities, $7.1 million for other current assets, $2.5 million for accounts payable and $2.8 million for other various working capital accounts. For 2005 compared to 2004, combined net cash provided by operating activities increased $9.3 million as a result of $15.9 million in increased distributions received from Gulfstream and reduced working capital requirements of $24.1 million partially offset by higher current tax expense of $25.4 million, higher property taxes of $4.7 million and other items of $0.6 million. The reduced working capital requirements of $24.1 million were comprised of $12.5 million of reduced working capital for other current assets, $10.9 million for other liabilities, $6.5 million for accounts payable, $4.8 million for other current liabilities, partially offset by $10.2 million of additional working capital for accrued taxes and $0.4 million for other accounts.
 
Investing Activities  — Most of the year-over-year fluctuations in investing activities was the result of the one time distribution of $152.1 million from Gulfstream in 2005. Other year-over-year variances in net cash (used in) provided by investing activities were:
 
  •  For 2006 compared to 2005, an increase in cash used of approximately $26.6 million for capital expenditures primarily related to the Jewell Ridge Lateral expansion project of East Tennessee; and


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  •  For 2005 compared to 2004, an increase in cash used of approximately $25.0 million for capital expenditures primarily related to the Jewell Ridge Lateral and Patriot Extension projects.
 
Financing Activities — Prior to our IPO, all of our cash flow was distributed as a dividend to Spectra Energy. As a result, the changes in cash flow from operating and investing activities impacted our cash flow from financing activities. Most of the year-over-year fluctuation in financing activities was the result of the distribution of $152.1 million to Spectra Energy in 2005. Other year-over-year variances in net cash provided by (used in) financing activities were:
 
  •  For 2006 compared to 2005, a decrease in cash distributed to Spectra Energy of $57.6 million as a result of higher capital expenditures and lower operating cash flow; and
 
  •  For 2005 compared to 2004, a net decrease in cash distributed to Spectra Energy of $15.8 million as a result of higher capital expenditures partially offset by higher operating cash flow.
 
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet financing entities or structures to third parties, other than our equity investments in Gulfstream and Market Hub, and maintain no debt obligations that contain provisions requiring accelerated payment of the related obligation in the event of specified declines in credit ratings.
 
However, Gulfstream has $850 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes outstanding, none of which is consolidated on our balance sheet.
 
Capital Requirements
 
The transmission and storage businesses can be capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and upgrade existing operations.
 
We categorize our capital expenditures as either maintenance capital expenditures or expansion capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are those expenditures required to maintain the existing operating capacity and service capability of our assets including the replacement of system components and equipment which is worn, obsolete, completing its useful life, or necessary to remain in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Expansion capital expenditures improve the service capability of the existing assets, extend useful lives, increase transmission or storage capacities from existing levels, reduce costs or enhance revenues. We expect our maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008 to be $11.8 million and $81.9 million, respectively, including our capital contributions to Gulfstream and Market Hub.
 
Our historical expansion capital expenditures for East Tennessee were $75.0 million, $51.1 million and $27.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. During the first three months of 2006 and 2007, our capital expenditures for East Tennessee were $9.7 and $1.2 million, respectively. Given our objective of growth through acquisitions and expansions of existing assets, we anticipate that we will continue to invest significant amounts of capital to grow and acquire assets. After the completion of this offering, expansion capital expenditures may vary significantly based on our investment opportunities.
 
We expect to fund future capital expenditures with funds generated from our operations, borrowings under our new credit facility and the issuance of additional partnership units and debt offerings.
 
Description of Credit Agreement.   We are a party to a $500 million credit facility, which includes both term and revolving borrowing capacity. Upon the closing of this offering, the credit facility will be available for general partnership purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. We expect that we will incur approximately $145.3 million of term borrowings and $125 million of revolving borrowings under our credit facility at the closing of this offering. As a result, we will have approximately $175 million of remaining borrowing capacity immediately after the closing.


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We will distribute the $145.3 million in term borrowings to subsidiaries of Spectra Energy in partial consideration for the assets contributed to us upon the closing of this offering. The term borrowings will be secured by an equal amount of qualifying investment grade securities (as permitted under the credit agreement) we purchase with the proceeds from this offering. In the event the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 common units from us in full, we will incur up to approximately $28.1 million in additional term borrowings and we will purchase and then pledge an equal amount of qualifying securities to further secure the additional borrowings under the credit facility. The proceeds of the additional term loan borrowings will be used to redeem from a subsidiary of Spectra Energy a number of common units equal to the number of common units issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ option, at a price per common unit equal to the proceeds per common unit before expenses but after underwriting discounts and a structuring fee. See “Use of Proceeds.”
 
Our obligations under the revolving portion of our credit facility will be unsecured and term borrowings will be secured at all times by the qualifying securities in an amount equal to or greater than the outstanding principal amount of the term loan. Upon any prepayment of term borrowings, the amount of the revolving portion of our credit facility will be automatically increased to the extent that the repayment of our term borrowings is made in connection with a permitted acquisition or permitted capital expenditure. Indebtedness under the credit facility will rank equally with all our outstanding unsecured and unsubordinated debt (except that the term loan will have a priority claim to the securities pledged to secure it).
 
The credit facility will prohibit us from making distributions of available cash to unitholders if any default or event of default (as defined in the credit facility) exists. In addition, the credit facility contains covenants limiting our ability to make distributions, incur indebtedness, grant liens, and engage in transactions with affiliates, which covenants may be modified or eliminated upon our receipt of an investment grade rating.
 
In addition, the credit agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain:
 
  •  an interest coverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA to our consolidated interest expense (net of interest income), in each case as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 2.5 to 1.0, determined as of the last day of each quarter for the four-quarter period ending on the date of determination; and
 
  •  a leverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated indebtedness to our consolidated EBITDA, in each case as defined in the credit agreement) of not more than 5.0 to 1.0 (or, on a temporary basis for not more than three consecutive quarters following the consummation of certain acquisitions, not more than 5.5 to 1.0).
 
If an event of default exists under the credit facility, the lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of all borrowings under the credit facility and demand repayment of amounts outstanding.
 
We expect that upon the completion of this offering and our application of the proceeds of this offering and the borrowings under our credit facility we will be in material compliance with all of the covenants under our credit facility and that we will be permitted to make distributions of available cash to our unitholders in accordance with the terms of our partnership agreement.
 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations.   A summary of our total contractual cash obligations as of March 31, 2007, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
                                         
          Less Than 1
                More Than 5
 
          Year
    2-3 Years
    4-5 Years
    Years
 
    Total     (2007)     (2008 & 2009)     (2010 & 2011)     (Beyond 2011)  
 
Long-term debt(1)
  $ 150,000     $     $     $     $ 150,000  
Interest on debt obligations(2)
    51,390       8,565       17,130       17,130       8,565  
Material/capital purchases
    894       894                    
Right of way payments(3)
    5,017       5,017                          
                                         
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 207,301     $ 14,476     $ 17,130     $ 17,130     $ 158,565  


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(1) Represents future principal repayments of notes payable.
 
(2) Represents interest expense on notes payable, based on the stated interest rate on the notes of 5.71%.
 
(3) Represents capital commitments for various right of way matters.
 
In addition to the obligations existing at March 31, 2007, with the consummation of the offering, we expect to incur long-term debt under our new credit facility of $270.3 million, and potential borrowings under our new credit facility related to the underwriter’s option to purchase additional common units of $30 million. We expect interest payments on these amounts to approximate $18.0 million per year for each year that such borrowings are outstanding. Additionally, in connection with the closing of this offering we will enter into an omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy and its affiliates. Annual payments for general and administrative services under the agreement are estimated to be $8.5 million.
 
Debt Obligations.   Our debt obligations consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
 
                 
    December 31,
    March 31,
 
    2006     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Long-term debt(1)
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
 
 
(1) Represents 5.71% senior notes issued by East Tennessee and due in 2012. The table does not reflect borrowings we expect to make at the closing of this offering under our new credit facility.
 
East Tennessee’s $150 million notes contain a provision which requires the company to offer to redeem the notes at par upon the occurrence of a change in control event. On April 12, 2007, notices were sent to noteholders to communicate this redemption offer. No noteholders accepted the redemption offer.
 
Gulfstream had outstanding indebtedness of $850 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are generally economically stable and are not significantly impacted by seasonal temperature variations and changing commodity prices. However, all of our businesses can be negatively affected by sustained downturns or sluggishness in the regional economy, including reductions in demand and low market prices for natural gas and LNG, all of which are beyond our control and could impair our ability to meet our long-term goals.
 
Changes in interest rates expose us to risk as a result of our issuance of fixed-rate debt. We monitor market debt rates to identify the need to mitigate this risk, including consideration of hedging activities, if needed. We have not previously entered into hedging contracts to mitigate this risk except for net sale swaps entered into by Gulfstream in anticipation of its $850 million in offering of senior notes in October 2005.
 
We are exposed to credit risk. Credit risk represents the loss that we would incur if a counterparty fails to perform under its contractual obligations. Our exposure generally relates to receivables and unbilled revenue for services provided, as well as volumes owed by customers for imbalances or gas lent by us to them generally under our parking and lending services and no-notice services. Where exposed to credit risk, we analyze the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establish credit limits and monitor the appropriateness of these limits on an ongoing basis and in some cases, require collateral agreements. Collateral agreements provide for a counterparty to post cash or letters of credit to the exposed party for exposure in excess of the established threshold. The threshold amount represents an unsecured credit, determined in accordance with our credit policy. Collateral agreements also provide that the inability to post collateral is sufficient cause to terminate contracts and liquidate all positions.
 
In addition our standard customer contracts contain adequate assurance provisions which allow us to suspend services, cancel agreements or continue services to the customer after the customer provides security for payment in a form satisfactory to us. For the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately


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89% of our revenue is with customers who have an investment grade credit rating or equivalent based on an analysis performed by the Company.
 
Since the late 1990s, natural gas prices have risen from a general range of $2.00 to $4.00 per Million British Thermal Units, or MMBtu, to $6.00 to $8.00, with peaks above $15.00 MMBtu. This overall rise in both gas prices and gas price volatility has materially increased our credit risk related to gas loaned to customers. The highest amount of gas loaned out by us over the past 24 months at any one time to our customers has been approximately 10.5 Bcf. The market value of that volume, assuming an average market price of $8.00 per Mcf, would be approximately $84 million. Our credit exposure from gas loans is managed as part of the program described above, and Market Hub obtains security deposits as necessary from third parties and affiliates to cover any excess exposure.
 
If any significant customer should have credit or financial problems resulting in its delay or failure to repay the gas it owes us, it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial position and results of operation.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The accounting policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of our combined financial statements as their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with this type of judgment, actual results could differ significantly from estimates and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, equity or cash flows. For additional information concerning our other accounting policies, please see the Notes to the financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
Cost-Based Regulation. We account for our regulated operations at East Tennessee under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.” The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording assets for costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers or recording liabilities for amounts that are expected to be returned to customers in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, we record assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Management continually assesses whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets are classified in the combined balance sheets as Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits. We periodically evaluate the applicability of SFAS No. 71, and consider factors such as regulatory changes and the impact of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, we may have to reduce certain of its asset balances to reflect a market basis lower than cost and write-off the associated regulatory assets. We had no regulatory liabilities for the periods included in the financial statements.
 
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired. We evaluate goodwill for potential impairment under the guidance of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Under this provision, goodwill is subject to an annual test for impairment. We have designated August 31 as the date it performs the annual review for goodwill impairment for its reporting units. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, we perform the annual review for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level, which we have determined to be an operating segment or one level below.
 
Impairment testing of goodwill consists of a two-step process. The first step involves a comparison of the implied fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves a comparison of the fair value and carrying value of the goodwill of that reporting unit. If the carrying value of the goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Additional impairment tests are performed between the annual reviews if events or changes in


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circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount.
 
We use a discounted cash flow analysis to determine fair value. Key assumptions in the determination of fair value include the use of an appropriate discount rate and estimated future cash flows. In estimating cash flows, we incorporate expected growth rates, regulatory stability and the ability to renew contracts, as well as other factors that affect revenue and expense forecasts. We did not record any impairment of its goodwill in 2006, 2005 and 2004 and there have been no additions, amortizations, or other changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years then ended. Goodwill of our sole operating segment, East Tennessee, was $118.3 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005.
 
Equity Method Investments. We account for investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates, and investments in less than 20% owned affiliates where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, under the equity method. Accordingly, our 24.5% interest in Gulfstream and 50.0% interest in Market Hub are accounted for under the equity method.
 
New Accounting Standards
 
FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which provides guidance on accounting for income tax positions about which the Company has concluded there is a level of uncertainty with respect to the recognition in its financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet. Tax positions are defined very broadly and include not only tax deductions and credits but also decisions not to file in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the taxability of transactions. The Company implemented FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. The implementation had no material impact on the financial statements. Upon implementation of FIN 48, the Company will now reflect interest expense related to taxes as Interest Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, subsequent accounting for FIN 48 (after January 1, 2007) will involve an evaluation to determine if any changes have occurred that would impact the existing uncertain tax positions as well as determining whether any new tax positions are uncertain. Any impacts resulting from the evaluation of existing uncertain tax positions or from the recognition of new uncertain tax positions would impact Income Tax Expense and Interest Expense.


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BUSINESS
 
Overview
 
We are a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership recently formed by Spectra Energy to own and operate natural gas transportation and storage assets. Our initial assets consist of interests in two interstate natural gas pipeline systems located in the southeastern United States with over 2,100 miles of pipelines, interests in two natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Louisiana with aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 Bcf and a liquefied natural gas, or LNG, storage facility in Tennessee.
 
We intend to utilize the significant experience of Spectra Energy’s management team to execute our growth strategy, including the acquisition and construction of additional energy assets. Spectra Energy, which is comprised of the former natural gas businesses of Duke Energy Corporation, became a stand-alone publicly traded company in January 2007. At December 31, 2006, Spectra Energy had approximately 17,500 miles of natural gas transportation pipelines and approximately 265 Bcf of natural gas storage capacity (including the assets to be contributed to us).
 
Our Assets
 
East Tennessee System.   We own and operate 100% of the approximately 1,400-mile East Tennessee interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from central Tennessee eastward into southwest Virginia and northern North Carolina, and southward into northern Georgia. East Tennessee supports the growing energy demands of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States through its connection to 19 receipt points and more than 175 delivery points and its market delivery capability of approximately 1.3 Bcf/d of natural gas. East Tennessee also owns and operates an LNG storage facility in Kingsport, Tennessee with working gas storage capacity of approximately 1.0 Bcf and regasification capability of 150 MMcf/d.
 
Gulfstream System.   We own a 24.5% interest in the approximately 690-mile Gulfstream interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from Pascagoula, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama across the Gulf of Mexico and into Florida. Gulfstream supports the fast growing south and central Florida markets through its connection to seven receipt points and 19 delivery points and its market delivery capability of approximately 1.1 Bcf/d of natural gas. Spectra Energy and The Williams Companies, Inc., respectively, own the remaining 25.5% and 50.0% interests in Gulfstream and jointly operate the system.
 
Market Hub System.   We own a 50.0% interest in Market Hub, which owns and operates two high-deliverability salt cavern natural gas storage facilities located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana and Liberty County, Texas. These two facilities have aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 Bcf and interconnect with 12 major natural gas pipeline systems. Market Hub’s storage facilities offer access to natural gas supplies from Texas, Louisiana and growing imports of LNG to the Gulf Coast, and each facility interconnects with Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern System. A subsidiary of Spectra Energy owns the remaining 50.0% interest in Market Hub and operates the system.
 
Our Operations
 
We transport and store natural gas for a broad mix of customers, including local gas distribution companies, or LDCs, municipal utilities, interstate and intrastate pipelines, direct industrial users, electric power generators, marketers and producers. In addition to serving directly connected Southeastern markets, our pipeline and storage systems have access to customers in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States through numerous interconnections with major pipelines. Our rates are regulated under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, rate-making policies, and, in the case of our storage facility in Texas, by the Texas Railroad Commission, or TRC.
 
We provide a significant portion of our transportation and storage services through firm contracts that obligate our customers to pay us monthly capacity reservation fees, which are fixed charges owed to us regardless of the actual pipeline or storage capacity utilized by a customer. When a customer utilizes the


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capacity it has reserved under these contracts, we also collect a variable fee based on the actual volume of natural gas transported or stored. This enables us to recover our variable costs. Variable fees are typically a small percentage of the total fees we receive from our firm contracts. We also derive a smaller portion of our revenues through interruptible contracts under which our customers pay fees based on their actual utilization of our assets for transportation and storage services and other related services. Customers who have executed interruptible contracts are not assured capacity in our pipeline and storage facilities. To the extent that physical capacity that is contracted for firm service is not being fully utilized, we can contract that capacity for interruptible service. The table below sets forth certain information regarding our assets, our contracts and our revenues and the percentage of our physical capacity sold under firm contracts, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006:
 
                                                 
                                  Weighted
 
          Revenue Composition %     % of Physical
    Average
 
          Firm Contracts           Capacity
    Remaining
 
          Capacity
                Subscribed
    Contract Life by
 
    Our Ownership
    Reservation
    Variable
    Interruptible
    Under
    Revenue (in
 
Asset
  Interest     Fees     Fees     Contracts     Firm Contracts     years)(1)  
 
East Tennessee
    100.0 %     97.7 %     1.7 %     0.6 %      89.7 %     9.3  
Gulfstream
    24.5 %     85.6 %     2.9 %     11.5 %      68.8 %     20.2  
Market Hub
    50.0 %     90.0 %     0.0 %     10.0 %      100.0 %     2.4  
 
 
(1) The average life of each contract is calculated based on the average annual contract revenue for such contract’s remaining life.
 
The high percentage of our earnings derived from capacity reservation fees mitigates the risk to us of earnings fluctuations caused by changing supply and demand conditions. For additional information about our contracts, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — How We Evaluate Our Operations” and “— Regulation.”
 
Business Strategies
 
Our primary business objective is to increase our cash distributions per unit over time by executing the following strategies:
 
  •  Pursuing economically attractive organic expansion opportunities and greenfield construction projects.   We and our partners, including Spectra Energy, continually evaluate organic expansion and greenfield construction opportunities in existing and new markets that may increase the volume of natural gas and storage capacity reserved on our systems. For example, two fully-contracted expansion projects are currently being pursued for Gulfstream. These projects will extend the system into South Florida and will increase the system’s total capacity from 1.1 Bcf/d to 1.25 Bcf/d by early 2009 and have applications pending with FERC for approval. On the East Tennessee system, our recently completed Jewell Ridge Lateral and Patriot Extension expansions have provided East Tennessee’s customers with increased access to new sources of supply while extending our market reach and offering additional organic growth opportunities as these systems are further expanded. Finally, we and Spectra Energy are currently pursuing an expansion of the Market Hub storage facility in Egan, Louisiana to increase compression horsepower and increase its working gas storage capacity from 20 Bcf to 24 Bcf by 2008. An application is currently pending with FERC for approval to further expand Egan to 32 Bcf by 2012. Each of these expansions will allow the facility to accommodate additional LNG deliveries anticipated in the Gulf Coast region.
 
  •  Increasing contracted capacity for natural gas transportation and storage on our systems by further expanding our customer base and diverse sources of natural gas supply.   To reduce the risk of natural gas supply interruptions, customers frequently seek capacity on pipelines and in storage facilities that have diverse sources of natural gas supply. Our transportation and storage systems have access to numerous natural gas producing regions, including the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent and Appalachian regions. Additionally, new interstate pipeline interconnection projects are being developed to augment our customers’ needs, such as an interconnect between East Tennessee and


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  Midwestern Pipeline. We are also adding new customers as a result of our connection of new Appalachian production on the East Tennessee system. As further described under “— Natural Gas Industry Overview — Natural Gas Supply”, we anticipate that LNG will become another significant source of supply accessible through our assets, allowing us to increase natural gas volumes contracted for transportation and storage on our systems. Our existing and new customers also benefit from numerous pipeline interconnections, which further minimize the risk of supply interruptions by providing additional sources of natural gas supply. We will continue to seek new sources of natural gas supply to enhance the attractiveness of our systems to current and future customers.
 
  •  Optimizing our existing assets and achieving additional operating efficiencies.   We intend to enhance the profitability of our existing assets by undertaking additional initiatives to enhance utilization, improve operating efficiencies and develop rate and contract structures that meet our customers’ needs. We provide our customers with an array of service offerings designed to address their needs while helping us to maximize the utilization of existing capacity of our systems. For example, we actively seek new customers with non-traditional peak load requirements to increase overall system utilization over time. Our assets are managed to ensure their operations keep fuel costs low and maintenance projects are pursued that provide the dual benefits of improving the integrity of our systems while also providing additional saleable capacity. To further meet both our and our customers’ needs, we intend to continue to utilize a variety of rate and contract structures to provide year-round optimization in the operation and utilization of our assets.
 
  •  Growing through strategic and accretive acquisitions of assets from third parties, Spectra Energy or both.   We intend to expand our existing natural gas transportation and storage businesses by pursuing acquisitions that are accretive to distributable cash flow. In recent years, major independent and integrated oil and gas companies have sold pipeline and storage assets in an effort to focus their operations. We expect this trend to continue and believe we are well positioned to take advantage of future acquisition opportunities. We will seek future acquisitions in areas where our assets currently operate that provide the opportunity for operational efficiencies or higher capacity utilization of our existing assets, as well as acquisitions in new geographic areas of operation. Certain factors we will consider in deciding whether to pursue an acquisition include, but are not limited to, the overall economic characteristics of the acquisition (such as return on capital and cash flow stability), the region in which the assets are located (both regions contiguous to our existing assets and new regions) and the availability and sources of capital to finance the acquisition. We intend to pursue acquisitions either independently or jointly with Spectra Energy. In addition to making acquisitions from third parties, we may also have the opportunity to acquire assets directly from Spectra Energy, although we cannot predict whether any such opportunities will be made available to us. We believe our affiliation with Spectra Energy positions us to pursue a broader array of growth opportunities than may be available to our competitors, although no acquisitions are currently under active consideration.
 
Competitive Strengths
 
We believe we are well positioned to execute our primary business objective because of the following competitive strengths:
 
  •  Our ability to grow through organic expansion opportunities, greenfield construction projects and acquisitions, along with access to other business development opportunities, is enhanced by our affiliation with Spectra Energy.   As the owner of our general partner and a 82.6% limited partner interest in us, and the joint owner of our Gulfstream and Market Hub assets, Spectra Energy is motivated to promote and support the successful execution of our business plan, and to pursue projects that directly or indirectly enhance the value of our assets. For example, East Tennessee benefits from its interconnections with Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern transportation system and Saltville gas storage business, and Gulfstream should benefit from additional natural gas supplies originating from Spectra Energy’s new interconnected Southeast Supply Header, or SESH, joint venture expected to be completed in 2008. Through our relationship with Spectra Energy, we will


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  have access to a significant pool of management talent, strong commercial relationships throughout the energy industry and access to Spectra Energy’s broad operational, commercial, technical, risk management and administrative infrastructure. Spectra Energy has a long history of successfully pursuing and consummating natural gas transportation and storage operations acquisitions through a disciplined acquisition strategy focused on acquiring complementary assets and integrating the acquired assets into its operations. Spectra Energy has completed over $10 billion in acquisitions since 2000.
 
  •  Our natural gas transportation assets are strategically located to transport natural gas from a number of diverse supply regions to high-demand end-use markets.   Our pipeline systems have access to a diverse range of natural gas supply regions, including the onshore and offshore Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent and Appalachian regions, both directly and through interconnections with numerous interstate and intrastate pipelines. Our pipeline systems transport natural gas directly to rapidly growing, high-demand markets in the Southeast, including Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina, and indirectly supply the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets through interconnections with other interstate pipelines. Our ability to reliably transport gas from diverse supply regions makes us attractive to customers that are consumers of natural gas, and our access to multiple high-demand end-use markets is appealing to customers that are producers of natural gas. Together, these attributes increase the flexibility and reliability of our transportation offerings and allow us to increase the volumes of natural gas contracted for transportation and storage on our systems.
 
  •  Our storage assets are strategically positioned to capitalize on expected increased demand for natural gas storage.   Over time, we expect imported LNG to fill a portion of the gap between traditional sources of natural gas supply and the growing demand for natural gas in the United States. Accordingly, we anticipate increased demand for natural gas storage as LNG imports to the Gulf Coast are significantly increased. LNG is typically delivered to the United States in large tanker shipments, with significant supplies of natural gas in a single shipment. Because demand for natural gas is relatively constant, natural gas storage will be an important component in balancing the LNG supply chain. Our storage assets are strategically located in the Gulf Coast region in proximity to anticipated LNG imports. As of February 16, 2007, there were two LNG terminals operating in the Gulf of Mexico or the Gulf Coast area, and 14 out of the 15 additional LNG terminals proposed for the Gulf Coast region had already received approval for construction.
 
  •  Our cash flow is relatively stable due to the high percentage of our assets’ revenues obtained from capacity reservation fees and the long-term nature of our contracts.   We provide a significant portion of our pipeline transportation and storage services under firm, fee-based contracts for terms ranging up to 23 years. Our systems have weighted average remaining contract lives based on contracted revenues of approximately 9.3 years for East Tennessee, 20.2 years for Gulfstream and 2.4 years for Market Hub. Capacity reservation fees represented approximately 97.7%, 85.6% and 90.0% of East Tennessee’s, Gulfstream’s and Market Hub’s revenues, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2006. This contract structure reduces the risk of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in weather or changing supply and demand conditions and therefore provides us with greater stability of cash flows. Additionally, we have little direct commodity price exposure, as we generally do not own the gas we transport for our customers and are entitled to reimbursement for natural gas used as fuel in most of our operations.
 
  •  Our management team has significant experience in the management of natural gas transportation and storage and energy industries.   Our general partner’s management team has extensive experience in building, acquiring, integrating and managing energy assets in a reliable and cost-effective manner and includes some of the most senior officers of Spectra Energy. On average, the members of our general partner’s management team have over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, with significant commercial, operational, acquisition and business development expertise.


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  •  Our high quality assets have been well maintained.   Our natural gas pipelines and storage facilities consist of high quality assets that have been well maintained, resulting in low cost, efficient operations. Our recently constructed Gulfstream and Market Hub systems utilize the latest available natural gas transportation and storage equipment and technology. We have been recognized by the industry for our use of superior maintenance practices aimed at improving the reliability of our assets and sustaining their useful life. Additionally, Spectra Energy, through its role in the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, has actively shaped new industry maintenance regulations such as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Integrity Management program, and has been an industry leader in implementing pipeline integrity standards.
 
While we have set forth our strategies and competitive strengths above, our business involves numerous risks and uncertainties which may prevent us from executing our strategies. These risks include difficulties in completing existing expansion or greenfield projects or identifying economically attractive new expansion and greenfield opportunities, adverse impacts relating to regulatory rules affecting our assets, difficulties in securing additional contracted capacity on our systems, the loss of certain key customers, and the potential inability to identify or consummate accretive acquisitions. For a more complete description of the risks associated with an investment in us, please see “Risk Factors.”
 
Our Relationship with Spectra Energy
 
One of our principal attributes is our relationship with Spectra Energy, which will own our general partner and a significant interest in us following this offering. Spectra Energy is comprised of the former natural gas businesses of Duke Energy and became a stand-alone publicly traded company in January 2007. Spectra Energy owns and operates a large and diversified portfolio of complementary natural gas-related energy assets and is one of North America’s leading midstream natural gas companies. Spectra Energy, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SE,” serves three key links in the natural gas value chain: gathering and processing, transportation and storage and distribution. Through its interests in five U.S. pipeline systems and three Canadian pipeline systems, Spectra Energy owns and operates one of the largest long-haul natural gas pipeline networks in North America consisting of approximately 17,500 miles of transportation pipelines. In addition, Spectra Energy is one of the largest operators of natural gas storage in North America with eleven storage facilities with total working gas capacity of approximately 265 Bcf (including East Tennessee’s LNG facility and Market Hub), and owns a 50.0% interest in DCP Midstream, LLC (previously known as Duke Energy Field Services, LLC), which is the largest natural gas liquids producer in North America. DCP Midstream, LLC owns the general partner interest and a 40.7% limited partner interest in DCP Midstream Partners, LP, which is a midstream master limited partnership.
 
Upon the completion of this offering, Spectra Energy will own our 2% general partner interest, all of our incentive distribution rights and a 82.6% limited partner interest in us. We will enter into an omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy and some of its affiliates that will govern our relationship with them regarding certain reimbursement and indemnification matters. Please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Omnibus Agreement.” While our relationship with Spectra Energy and its subsidiaries is a significant attribute, it may also be a source of conflicts. For example, neither Spectra Energy nor any of its affiliates are prohibited from competing with us. Spectra Energy and its affiliates may acquire, construct or dispose of assets in the future without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or construct those assets. Please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”
 
Natural Gas Industry Overview
 
Natural gas is a critical component of energy consumption in the United States. The U.S. natural gas pipeline grid transports natural gas from producing regions to customers, such as LDCs, industrial users and electric generation facilities. Interstate pipelines carry natural gas across state boundaries and are subject to FERC regulation on (1) the rates charged for their services, (2) the terms and conditions of their services, and (3) the location, construction and abandonment of their facilities. Intrastate pipelines transport natural gas within a particular state and are typically not subject to FERC regulation. In 2005, based on data from


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the EIA, the U.S. natural gas pipeline grid included more than 210 mainline natural gas pipeline systems, 109 of which were interstate systems with the balance consisting of intrastate systems. Interstate natural gas pipeline systems account for more than 148 Bcf/d of total U.S. natural gas transportation capacity and approximately 213,000 miles of natural gas pipeline.
 
Natural gas storage plays a vital role in maintaining the reliability of gas available for deliveries. Natural gas is typically stored in underground storage facilities, including salt dome caverns and depleted reservoirs. Storage facilities are utilized by (1) pipelines, to manage temporary imbalances in operations, (2) natural gas end-users, such as LDCs, to manage the seasonality of demand and to satisfy future natural gas needs and (3) independent natural gas marketing and trading companies in connection with the execution of their trading strategies. Natural gas storage is expected to become an increasingly important component in managing the supply and demand imbalance created by significant LNG shipments.
 
Natural Gas Demand
 
Substantially all natural gas consumed in the United States is transported to the ultimate end-user on the natural gas pipeline grid. Therefore, utilization of the pipeline grid is highly correlated with growth in domestic consumption of natural gas. According to EIA, natural gas consumption in the United States is expected to grow from 60.2 Bcf/d in 2005 to 70.1 Bcf/d in 2017, or by approximately 1.3% per year.
 
U.S. Natural Gas Consumption
 
(GRAPH)
 
Source:   Energy Information Administration, February 2007.
 
The industrial and electricity generation sectors are the largest users of natural gas in the United States. During the three years ended December 31, 2006, these two sectors accounted for approximately 57% of the total natural gas consumed in the United States. Additionally, significant natural gas demand comes from the residential and commercial sectors.
 
Demand for natural gas is usually greater during the winter, primarily due to residential and commercial heating applications. Natural gas produced in excess of that which is used during the summer months is typically stored to meet the increased demand for natural gas during the winter months. However, with the recent trend towards natural gas fired electric generation, demand for natural gas during the summer months is now increasing to satisfy additional electricity requirements for residential and commercial cooling. For example, according to a July 2006 Florida Reliability Coordinating Council report, natural gas used for electric generation in the Florida market is expected to grow by approximately 7.1% per year for the period from 2006-2015, increasing from 556 Bcf in 2006 to 1,033 Bcf in 2015. This growth is largely


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due to an increasing demand for natural gas fired electric generation to meet both a growing population base and a growing per capita demand for electricity. In addition, according to the EIA, overall demand for natural gas consumption in the markets we serve is expected to grow by approximately 2.1% per year for the period from 2006-2012, from 12.3 Bcf/d in 2006 to 13.9 Bcf/d in 2012.
 
Natural Gas Supply
 
According to the EIA, domestic gas production in the United States is not expected to keep pace with domestic consumption. Production in the lower 48 states is estimated to grow 0.7% per year, from 50.1 Bcf/d in 2005 to 54.3 Bcf/d in 2017. This compares to estimated U.S. natural gas demand in 2012 of 67.3 Bcf/d.
 
U.S. Natural Gas Production
 
(GRAPH)
 
Source:   Energy Information Administration, February 2007.
 
While supply in certain areas in which we operate is experiencing an increase in production and reserves, traditional supply in other regions of the country in which we operate is beginning to decline. As supply from these areas declines, or becomes less attractive because of vulnerability to hurricanes and other disruptions, the national supply profile is shifting to new, and, in some cases, to non-conventional sources of gas. The bulk of this supply shortfall is expected to be met through natural gas imports from Canada as well as through LNG imports, the majority of which are expected to be delivered through terminals along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
 
The Gulf Coast region of the United States, which includes offshore Gulf of Mexico and East Texas, is the most prolific U.S. natural gas producing region. Based on data from EIA, the Gulf Coast region accounted for approximately 45% of U.S. natural gas supply in 2005, producing approximately 22 Bcf/d. The EIA projects aggregate gas production from this region for the period from 2006 to 2012 to grow approximately 0.8% per year. According to the EIA, natural gas production from onshore conventional sources and shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to decline, though this decline is expected to be more than offset by expanding natural gas exploration and development activities in onshore unconventional tight gas plays, such as the Barnett Shale and Bossier Sands of North and East Texas, as well as increased exploration activities in deepwater Gulf of Mexico.


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LNG imports are expected to grow on average by 16% per year for the period between 2005 and 2017. The table below shows the EIA’s estimate of LNG imports into the Gulf Coast region through 2017.
 
U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas import Volume
 
(GRAPH)
 
Source:   Energy Information Administration, February 2007.
 
LNG is expected to become an important part of the U.S. energy market. According to the EIA, LNG’s share of total U.S. natural gas supply could be as high as 17% by 2025. Unlike domestic production however, LNG imports will not provide a steady stream of supply because the number and timing of deliveries are driven by spot prices that fluctuate with market dynamics, and individual deliveries involve the receipt of large volumes within a relatively short period of time. Given the extensive pipeline infrastructure and available natural gas processing capability in and around the region, the Gulf Coast is the target for approximately 15 of the 40 proposed U.S. onshore and offshore LNG terminals. LNG projects for this area are, on average, larger than those planned for other U.S. locations. In addition, due to the large existing industrial base located in the region and less anticipated resistance from the local population, more of these projects are likely to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals and be developed more expeditiously than proposed projects located in other areas of the country.
 
Two additional aspects of natural gas supply are particularly relevant for owners and operators of interstate pipeline systems. The first aspect is the desire by natural gas customers and regulators for greater diversity of natural gas supply sources. Supply disruptions caused by hurricanes and other factors have highlighted the importance to customers of access to multiple supply basins. An example of the way in which pipeline companies can help address this need is the SESH 50/50 joint venture between Spectra Energy and CenterPoint Energy. SESH, comprised of 36” and 42” pipelines, will diversify Gulfstream’s supply sources by bringing natural gas produced in the onshore Louisiana, East Texas and Mid-Continent supply regions to a new interconnect with Gulfstream. SESH is expected to be completed in 2008.
 
The second aspect of natural gas supply relevant to owners and operators of interstate pipeline systems is the need for improved takeaway capacity from certain natural gas producing regions. For example, certain natural gas producing regions, such as the Appalachian Basin, will be an important part of U.S. natural gas supply in the future because of their long-lived natural gas reserves. Although the Appalachian Basin is one of the more mature gas producing regions in the United States, it has suffered in recent years from below average natural gas pricing due to inadequate transportation to neighboring markets. Regional pipeline expansion projects such as East Tennessee’s Patriot Extension and Jewell Ridge Lateral expansions have


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resulted in improved takeaway capacity and have therefore enabled certain Appalachian producers to sell their natural gas at a premium to regional benchmark prices.
 
Our Asset Portfolio
 
East Tennessee Natural Gas System
 
General.   We own and operate 100% of the approximately 1,400 mile East Tennessee interstate natural gas transportation system, which extends from central Tennessee eastward into southwest Virginia and northern North Carolina, and southward into northern Georgia. Since acquiring East Tennessee in 2000, Spectra Energy has almost doubled the market delivery capability of the East Tennessee pipeline by investing in expansion projects designed to meet the growth needs of its traditional customers and reach new customers in adjacent markets. As a result, East Tennessee has evolved to become a major transportation link between markets in the Mid-Atlantic and supply sources previously inaccessible to those markets, such as Appalachian production, neighboring long haul pipelines and large salt cavern storage facilities.
 
East Tennessee is connected to 19 receipt points and more than 175 delivery points and has a market delivery capability of approximately 1.3 Bcf/d of natural gas to support the growing energy demands of the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. East Tennessee is also connected to Spectra Energy’s 4 Bcf Saltville gas storage facility, which is a source of additional supplies of natural gas for transportation. East Tennessee has pipeline diameters ranging from 8” to 24” and has 21 compressor stations with 97,000 horsepower of compression.
 
We also own and operate East Tennessee’s LNG storage facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, with total working gas capacity of approximately 1.0 Bcf and regasification capability of 150 MMcf/d. The facility provides our customers with turn-key services consisting of the liquefaction of natural gas and the storage and regasification of LNG.
 
In addition to field operations offices along the pipeline, East Tennessee has an office in Knoxville, Tennessee that conducts commercial activities in conjunction with our Houston-based staff.
 
In 2003, East Tennessee placed into service the approximately $300 million Patriot Extension, which linked East Tennessee with markets in North Carolina and the broader Mid-Atlantic. The Patriot Extension includes 95 miles of new 24” pipeline from East Tennessee’s mainline to an interconnection point on The Williams Companies’ Transco pipeline in North Carolina and has added approximately 400 MMcf/d of incremental system capacity. By providing access to natural gas deliveries to the North Carolina and Mid-Atlantic markets through an interconnection with the Transco pipeline, the Patriot Extension provides a desirable outlet for new supplies of Appalachian production accessed by the Jewell Ridge Lateral expansion project. The approximately $60 million Jewell Ridge Lateral, placed into service in October 2006, is a 32-mile, 20” pipeline extending from East Tennessee’s mainline to an interconnection with the Cardinal States Gathering System, where it can access up to 228 MMcf/d of new and existing Appalachian production.
 


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(GRAPH)
 
East Tennessee Customers.   East Tennessee has approximately 160 firm transportation contracts with over 60 customers, including LDCs, utilities, direct served industrials, natural gas marketers and producers and power generators. East Tennessee’s three largest customers for the year ended December 31, 2006 were Atmos Energy Corporation, KGen Partners and AGL Resources, which accounted for approximately 18%, 13% and 10% of East Tennessee’s revenues, respectively. Since Spectra Energy’s acquisition of East Tennessee in 2000, East Tennessee’s revenue from firm transportation customers has changed from predominately utilities and industrial end-users to a mix of utilities, industrial end-users, power generators, natural gas marketers and producers and large LDCs in new market areas such as North Carolina and Virginia. In 2000, 94% of East Tennessee’s total capacity was utilized by utilities and industrial end-users while that same customer group decreased to 64% of East Tennessee’s capacity in 2006. As a result of recent supply and market expansion projects, East Tennessee has added several significant new customers to the system, including CNX Gas Corporation, Washington Gas Light, Piedmont Natural Gas, Carolina Power & Light (Progress Energy) and Sequent Energy. These customers are expected to significantly contribute to East Tennessee’s revenue in 2007, and represent a significant change from East Tennessee’s historical customer mix.
 
Demand from East Tennessee’s customers is expected to continue to increase, primarily due to additional demand for natural gas-fired electric generation and an increase in the use of natural gas furnaces for residential heating systems, particularly in new home construction.
 
East Tennessee Contracts.   East Tennessee contracts with its customers to provide firm and interruptible transportation services. East Tennessee’s firm transportation service customers generally pay fees based on the volume of capacity reserved on the system regardless of the capacity actually used, plus a variable charge based on the volume of natural gas actually transported that enables us to recover certain variable


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costs. As a result, firm transportation revenues typically remain relatively constant over the term of the contract. Maximum and minimum rates for services are governed by East Tennessee’s FERC-approved natural gas tariff. East Tennessee can agree to discount services or in certain cases can enter into negotiated rate agreements that, with FERC approval, can have rates or other terms that are different than those provided for in the FERC tariff. The rates in the majority of firm contracts are subject to the maximum rates prescribed in East Tennessee’s tariff.
 
In 2005, East Tennessee entered into a rate settlement with its customers which established new base rates under the tariff. The 2005 rate settlement provides East Tennessee rate certainty through the settlement’s expiration in 2010, at which time East Tennessee’s rates will remain the same, subject to further negotiation or the filing of a rate case. Neither regulation nor the terms of the settlement require East Tennessee to file a rate case at any time. For a discussion of the regulatory influences on East Tennessee’s contracts, see “— Regulation .
 
East Tennessee also provides interruptible transportation services under which gas is transported for customers when operationally feasible and customers pay only for the actual volume of gas transported. Under both its firm transportation and interruptible transportation contracts, East Tennessee retains, at no cost, a fixed percentage of the natural gas it transports in order to supply the fuel needed for natural gas compression on the system.
 
Under East Tennessee’s firm LNG storage service contracts, its customers are allowed to inject specified volumes of natural gas into the LNG facility during the summer months and withdraw the same volume of natural gas during the winter months.
 
As of December 31, 2006, East Tennessee’s firm transportation and storage contracts had a weighted average remaining life of approximately 9.3 years. For the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately 97.7% of East Tennessee’s revenues were derived from capacity reservation charges under firm contracts (including LNG storage services), approximately 1.7% of East Tennessee’s revenues were derived from variable usage fees under firm contracts and approximately 0.6% of East Tennessee’s revenues were derived from interruptible transportation contracts.
 
East Tennessee Competition.   The mountainous geography of the regions served by East Tennessee creates natural barriers to entry that make competition from new pipeline entrants difficult and expensive. As a result, we are the sole source of interstate natural gas transportation for many of the firm capacity customers that transport natural gas on East Tennessee. At both ends of our system, we are subject to competition from other pipelines. For example, our customers on the southeastern end of our system in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee are directly served by other interstate pipelines, as are some customers on the western and northeastern ends of our system.
 
Much of East Tennessee’s recent growth has come from expansion opportunities into the Southeastern market area, including customers located adjacent to the Transco pipeline in the Carolinas and the lower Mid-Atlantic states. Many of these customers were formerly solely supplied by Transco, and East Tennessee provides them with alternative sources of natural gas supply through our access to Appalachian natural gas production and additional natural gas storage facilities through the Patriot Extension. East Tennessee provides customers in this market with a lower cost alternative for incremental supply additions in direct competition with the Transco pipeline.
 
Natural gas is in direct competition with electricity for residential and commercial heating demand in East Tennessee’s market area. While this competition does not directly affect our firm sales, our LDC customers’ growth is partially dependent upon the installation of natural gas furnaces in new home construction. Although substitution of electric heat for natural gas heat could have a long term effect on our customers’ demand requirements, East Tennessee has already benefited from the addition of new natural gas fired electric generation constructed in proximity to our pipeline.
 
An increase in competition in the region served by East Tennessee could arise from new ventures or expanded operations from existing competitors. Other competitive factors include the quantity, location and


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physical flow characteristics of interconnected pipelines, the ability to offer service from multiple storage or production locations, and the cost of service and rates offered by our competitors. Other competitive factors include the quantity, location and physical flow characteristics of interconnected pipelines, any of which could enable our competitors to better meet customer pressure and delivery requirements.
 
East Tennessee Natural Gas Supply.   The majority of East Tennessee’s gas supply comes from the Gulf Coast region through Tennessee Gas, as its primary supplier, as well as through Texas Eastern and to a lesser degree Southern Natural Gas and Columbia Gulf. East Tennessee also receives natural gas supply from the Appalachian region through Equitable Resources. East Tennessee also recently began to receive natural gas supply from CNX Gas through the Jewell Ridge Lateral. Natural gas withdrawn from East Tennessee’s LNG storage facility and other on-system storage fields, including Spectra Energy’s Saltville natural gas storage facility, provide East Tennessee with additional supply sources used to supplement peaking demand. Midwestern Natural Gas has announced that it expects to complete a new pipeline interconnection with East Tennessee by the end of 2007 that will provide additional natural gas supply to East Tennessee.
 
Gulfstream Natural Gas System
 
General.   We own a 24.5% interest in the approximately 690-mile Gulfstream interstate natural gas transportation system. Gulfstream is an interstate natural gas pipeline with market delivery capacity of approximately 1.1 Bcf/d that runs from Pascagoula, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama across the Gulf of Mexico and into the fast growing south and central Florida market. Gulfstream’s market area is characterized by strong population growth and increasing per capita energy consumption. The Gulfstream pipeline is primarily 30” and 36” in diameter and currently includes approximately 242 miles of onshore pipeline in Florida, 15 miles of onshore pipeline in Alabama and Mississippi and 435 miles of offshore pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. Gulfstream’s facilities also include gas treatment facilities and compressor station in Coden, Alabama. The compressor station contains three 37,900 horsepower compressor units, one of which serves solely as a back-up unit in the event of an outage of any of the other units.
 
Gulfstream customers have access to seven supply injection points in Mississippi and Alabama with approximately 3.4 Bcf/d of aggregate natural gas interconnect capacity. Natural gas is delivered by Gulfstream to 19 delivery points throughout southern and central Florida.
 
Gulfstream was jointly developed by Spectra Energy and The Williams Companies in two phases at a total cost of approximately $1.7 billion. Phase I of the system consisted of the initial 582 miles of pipeline and became operational in May 2002, and Phase II consisted of an additional 110 miles of pipeline that was placed in service in February 2005. Two fully-contracted expansion projects are currently being pursued for Gulfstream that will improve the system’s overall utilization extending the system into South Florida and increase its total capacity from 1.1 Bcf/d to 1.25 Bcf/d by early 2009.
 
The estimated $135 million Phase III project will fully subscribe the existing 1.1 Bcf/d of mainline capacity by serving Florida Power & Light Company’s planned 2,200 megawatt, or MW, plant in Palm Beach County through a 35 mile, 30” pipeline extension. The estimated $117 million Phase IV project will increase mainline capacity to 1.25 Bcf/d through a significant addition of compression capability and an 18-mile, 20” pipeline extension to Progress Energy’s Bartow plant in Pinellas County. Both of these expansions are supported by customer contracts having 23-year initial terms. Further expansions of this pipeline system are feasible through the addition of increased compression horsepower and the construction of additional pipelines in our existing rights of way. FERC certificate approval is required prior to commencement of construction of the Phase III and Phase IV projects. Certificate applications for these projects are currently pending before FERC. In addition, in June 2007 Gulfstream initiated an open season seeking customer interest for incremental contract capacity additions commencing as early as 2011.
 
A subsidiary of Spectra Energy retains a 25.5% interest in Gulfstream and a subsidiary of The Williams Companies continue to own the remaining 50.0% interest. Spectra Energy provides the business and commercial functions for Gulfstream while The Williams Companies provides the technical functions.


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Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Contracts with Affiliates — Gulfstream Limited Liability Company Agreement” for additional information about the terms of the Gulfstream limited liability company agreement.
 
(GRAPH)
 
Gulfstream Customers.   Gulfstream currently has 11 long-term firm transportation contracts with 9 shippers, comprised of electric utility companies and LDCs, for the transportation of 0.75 Bcf of natural gas per day which represents approximately 69% of Gulfstream’s overall capacity. For the year ended December 31, 2006, Florida Power & Light Company, Florida Power Corporation and Tampa Electric Company and its affiliates accounted for approximately 50%, 22%, and 10%, respectively, of Gulfstream’s revenues. As noted above, the completion of the Gulfstream Phase III project will fully subscribe the remaining 0.35 Bcf/d of mainline capacity.
 
Demand growth in Gulfstream’s markets is expected to be strong, with our Florida electric utility customers expected to add 16,000 MW of new peak power generation from 2007 to 2015, according to The 2006 Regional Load and Resource report published by the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council. Approximately half of this incremental electric generation is anticipated to be gas fired, requiring over 1.0 Bcf/d of new firm pipeline capacity. We intend to attempt to capture a majority portion of this increased demand.
 
Gulfstream Contracts.   Gulfstream contracts with its customers to provide firm and interruptible transportation services. Gulfstream also provides interruptible park and loan services as well as operational


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balancing agreements to resolve any differences between scheduled and actual receipts and deliveries. All of Gulfstream’s firm transportation contracts include negotiated rates through the life of the contract. These negotiated rates are currently less than the maximum applicable recourse rate allowed by FERC. As of December 31, 2006, Gulfstream’s firm transportation and storage contracts had a weighted average remaining life of approximately 20.2 years. For the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately 85.6% of Gulfstream’s revenues were derived from capacity reservation charges under firm contracts, approximately 2.9% of Gulfstream’s revenues were derived from variable usage fees under firm contracts and approximately 11.5% of Gulfstream’s revenues were derived from interruptible transportation contracts.
 
Gulfstream Competition.   Within the Florida market for natural gas, Gulfstream competes with other pipelines that transport and supply natural gas to end-users. Gulfstream’s competitors attempt to either attract new supply or attach new load to their pipelines, including those that are currently connected to markets served by Gulfstream.
 
Gulfstream’s most direct competitor is Florida Gas Transmission Company, a subsidiary of Citrus Corp., which owns an approximately 5,000-mile pipeline extending from south Texas to south Florida with mainline capacity of 2.1 Bcf/d. Florida Gas Transmission plans to upgrade its pipeline to receive gas in Jacksonville, Florida from Southern Natural Gas’ proposed Cypress pipeline, which is expected to extend from its existing pipeline in Chatham County, Georgia and interconnect with a Florida Gas Transmission pipeline in Clay County, Florida.
 
An increase in competition in the market could arise from new ventures or expanded operations from existing competitors. Other competitive factors include the quantity, location and physical flow characteristics of interconnected pipelines, any of which could enable our competitors to better meet customer pressure and delivery requirements. Our competition may access multiple storage locations offering a wider range of service flexibility, and the cost of service and rates offered by our competitors may be lower than ours or offered on shorter terms, providing customers with greater flexibility.
 
Gulfstream Natural Gas Supply.   Gulfstream shippers increasingly have the option of buying natural gas supplies from a wide range of producers in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and from onshore sites along the entire Gulf Coast. Gulfstream is interconnected to numerous supply pipelines in the Mobile Bay area. Currently, shippers have the option to inject supply at seven access points. In addition, anticipated increasing LNG imports along the Gulf Coast should further diversify the gas supplies available to Gulfstream’s customers, potentially offsetting some of the risks associated with offshore Gulf of Mexico natural gas production
 
In June of 2008, Gulfstream expects to have access to supplies delivered by Spectra Energy’s SESH joint venture. SESH will originate in Perryville, LA, interconnect with Gulfstream and provide our customers with access to approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of increasing production from Louisiana, East Texas and the Mid-Continent region. Capacity commitments by existing Gulfstream customers make up the majority of the transportation capacity commitments to the SESH project.
 
Market Hub System
 
General.   We own a 50.0% interest in Market Hub, the owner and operator of two high deliverability salt cavern storage facilities located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana and Liberty County, Texas. These two facilities have aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 Bcf and interconnect with a total of 12 major natural gas pipeline systems. Market Hub’s storage facilities are capable of being fully or partially filled and depleted, or “cycled,” multiple times per year. This cycling capability is a significant service component Market Hub offers to its customers, providing them with additional operating and financial flexibility. Market Hub’s storage facilities provide storage for natural gas supplies from Texas, Louisiana and growing Gulf Coast LNG supplies and are strategically located near several natural gas transportation systems, including Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern pipeline system. A subsidiary of Spectra Energy owns the remaining 50.0% interest in Market Hub and operates the system. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Contracts with Affiliates — Market Hub General Partnership Agreement” for additional information about the terms of the Market Hub general partnership agreement.


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The Egan storage facility, located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, has a working gas capacity of approximately 20 Bcf, and includes a 38-mile pipeline system that interconnects with seven major natural gas pipelines. Egan offers access to Gulf Coast, Midwest, Southeast and Northeast markets served by pipeline interconnects with Tennessee Gas, Texas Eastern, Columbia Gulf, ANR, Texas Gas, Trunkline and Florida Gas. Since acquiring Market Hub in 2000, Spectra Energy has initiated cavern expansions at Egan totaling 24 Bcf that are projected to bring the total working capacity of the facility to 24 Bcf by 2008 and to 32 Bcf by 2012, and has initiated an approximately 22,800 horsepower compression expansion project designed to increase peak injection capacity. Market Hub must obtain FERC certificate approval prior to the commencement of construction of the expansion project designed to increase working gas storage capacity at Egan from 24 Bcf to 32 Bcf. An application for that project is currently pending before FERC.
 
The Moss Bluff storage facility, located in Liberty County, Texas, has a working gas capacity of approximately 15 Bcf, and includes a 20-mile pipeline system that interconnects with five major pipeline systems. Moss Bluff offers access to Texas intrastate, Northeast and Midwest markets served by pipeline interconnects with Texas Eastern, Natural Gas Pipeline of America, Kinder Morgan Tejas, Kinder Morgan Texas and Enterprise Intrastate. Since acquiring Market Hub in 2000, Spectra Energy has expanded the storage capacity at Moss Bluff by approximately 4 Bcf and is currently considering additional capacity expansions.
 
Moss Bluff and Egan offer a range of flexible market-based storage services including firm storage, interruptible storage, wheeling, and parks and loans. These flexible services allow our customers to manage their daily supply-demand balancing needs, and are especially attractive to customers, such as LNG and power companies, that require abbreviated injection and withdrawal cycles. Because Egan and Moss Bluff are interconnected with major pipeline infrastructure and located near several proposed and existing LNG terminals, both facilities should be well-positioned to benefit from future deliveries of LNG to the Gulf Coast of the United States.
 
(PICTURE)
 
 
Market Hub Customers.   Market Hub provides storage services to a broad mix of customers including marketers, power generators, gas producers, pipelines and LDCs. Power generators, marketers and producers generally use storage services for short term balancing, to manage risk and to take advantage of the pricing differential between near-term and long-term natural gas. LDCs use storage services for seasonal balancing, to meet peak day deliveries and ensure reliability. Pipelines use storage services to manage short term


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operational balancing requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2006 Market Hub’s three largest customers were Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Conectiv, Inc. and Fortis Energy Marketing and Trading, which accounted for approximately 12%, 10% and 8%, respectively, of Market Hub’s revenues.
 
We anticipate that LNG terminal capacity holders will become another key market segment for Market Hub’s services. Due to the lack of natural gas storage capacity in other gas markets around the world, we anticipate the U.S. Gulf Coast will become a destination for excess supply in the global LNG market, especially during the summer months when takeaway and storage capacity for LNG is limited in other LNG markets. There are already two LNG storage facilities operating on the Gulf Coast. In addition, as of February 2007, approximately 14 out of a total of approximately 15 additional LNG terminals proposed for construction in the Gulf Coast region have been approved for construction.
 
Market Hub Contracts.   Market Hub contracts with is customers to provide firm storage, park and loan services and wheeling. Under firm storage contracts, customers pay a reservation rate for the firm right to inject, withdraw and store a specified volume of natural gas. Under park and loan contracts, customers pay for the interruptible right to park (store) or loan (borrow) gas for a specific period of time. Customers who desire to wheel gas through a Market Hub facility pay for the interruptible right to receive natural gas at one interconnecting pipeline on the storage facility header system and have it simultaneously delivered to a different interconnecting pipeline on the storage facility header system.
 
As of December 31, 2006, Market Hub’s firm storage contracts had a weighted average remaining life by revenue of approximately 2.4 years, which is typical of the shorter contract life of storage systems as compared to transportation systems. For the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately 90% of Market Hub’s revenues were derived from capacity reservation fees under firm storage contracts and approximately 10% of Market Hub’s revenues were derived from interruptible storage contracts, including park and loan services and wheeling.
 
Despite an increase in the number of competitors in recent years, we have been able to recontract all of Market Hub’s available storage capacity at acceptable rates. We believe our success in renewing contracts is due to various positive attributes of our storage facilities, including their favorable access to neighboring pipeline systems and the flexibility and reliability of our service offerings.
 
Market Hub Competition.   Market Hub competes with several regional storage facilities along the Gulf Coast as well as the storage services offered by interstate and intrastate pipelines that serve the same markets as Market Hub. The principal elements of competition among storage facilities are rates, terms of service, types of service, supply and market access, and flexibility and reliability of service. Market Hub’s main regional competitors include Jefferson Island storage facility owned by AGL Resources, Spindletop owned by DCP Midstream, North Dayton storage owned by Kinder Morgan and Katy Storage owned by Enstor. An increase in competition in the market could arise from new ventures or expanded operations from existing competitors. We anticipate that growing demand for natural gas storage along the Gulf Coast will be met with increasing storage capacity, either through the expansion of existing facilities or the construction of new storage facilities. For example, we expect additional regional competition from proposed greenfield storage facilities including Liberty Gas Storage, Pine Prairie Energy Center, Starks Gas Storage, Houston Storage Hub and Bobcat Storage.
 
Market Hub Natural Gas Supply.   Egan has aggregate receipt capacity from its major interconnecting pipelines of approximately 3.5 Bcf/d compared to an injection capability of 2.1 Bcf/d. Moss Bluff has aggregate receipt capacity from its major interconnecting pipelines of approximately 2.1 Bcf/d compared to an injection capability of 0.6 Bcf/d. Egan has access to major interstate pipelines, while Moss Bluff has access to major interstate and intrastate pipelines. This level of supply connectivity gives customers access to a broad range of natural gas supply sources from existing onshore and offshore Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent production areas as well as future LNG supplies.


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Safety and Maintenance
 
We are subject to regulation by the DOT under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, referred to as NGPSA, and the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, which was recently reauthorized and amended by the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006. The NGPSA regulates safety requirements in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of gas pipeline facilities while the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 establishes mandatory inspections for all United States oil and natural gas transportation pipelines, and some gathering lines in high consequence areas. DOT regulations implementing the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 require pipeline operators to conduct integrity management programs, which involve frequent inspections and other measures to ensure pipeline safety in “high consequence areas,” such as high population areas, areas that are difficult to evacuate and locations where people congregate. The DOT may assess fines and penalties for violations of these and other requirements imposed by its regulations. We believe that we are in material compliance with all regulations imposed by the DOT on our natural gas pipeline operations.
 
We currently estimate that our assets will incur costs of approximately $44.2 million between 2007 and 2012 to conduct integrity management program testing along certain segments of the East Tennessee pipeline and at the Market Hub facilities. The majority of this amount will be capital costs and will be used to modify the East Tennessee pipeline to allow for internal pipeline inspections, or “smart pigging,” whereas most of the remaining costs are for general operations and maintenance on the East Tennessee pipeline. These estimates do not include the costs, if any, for repair, remediation, preventative or mitigating actions that may be determined to be necessary as a result of the testing program.
 
States are largely preempted by federal law from regulating pipeline safety but may assume responsibility for enforcement of federal intrastate pipeline safety regulations and inspection of intrastate pipelines. In practice, states vary considerably in their authority and capacity to address pipeline safety. We do not anticipate any significant problems in complying with state laws and regulations applicable to our operations. Our natural gas pipelines have inspection and compliance programs designed to maintain compliance with federal and state pipeline safety and pollution control requirements. For instance, the East Tennessee pipeline requires a corrosion control program to protect the integrity of the pipeline and prolong its life. The corrosion control program includes the installation and operation of groundbeds and rectifiers along the pipeline system to maintain adequate cathodic protection, as required by the DOT. We determine the adequacy of this program through annual monitoring of the output of these systems as well as annual checks of cathodic protection readings at various points along the pipeline and at compressor stations. We also monitor the pipeline both internally by cutting the pipeline open to inspect for internal corrosion, and sampling any liquids or solids that we remove from the pipeline, and externally by inspecting the external coating condition of the pipeline every time we excavate and expose the pipeline. We believe this is an aggressive and proactive corrosion control program that may reduce metal loss, limit corrosion and possibly extend the service life of the pipeline.
 
We are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, referred to as OSHA, and comparable state statutes, whose purpose is to protect the health and safety of workers, both generally and within the pipeline industry. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the EPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of the federal Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act, and comparable state statutes require that information be maintained concerning hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities, and citizens. We are also subject to OSHA Process Safety Management regulations, which are designed to prevent or minimize the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable or explosive chemicals. These regulations apply to any process which involves a chemical at or above specified thresholds, or any process which involves 10,000 pounds or more of a flammable liquid or gas in one location. Flammable liquids stored in atmospheric tanks below their normal boiling point without the benefit of chilling or refrigeration are exempt. We have an internal program of inspection designed to monitor and enforce compliance with worker safety requirements. We believe that we are in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to worker health and safety.


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Regulation
 
FERC Regulation
 
Our interstate pipelines are subject to extensive regulation by FERC. With the exception of Market Hub’s Moss Bluff storage facility, each of our operating subsidiaries is a “natural gas company” under the NGA, pursuant to which FERC has jurisdiction with respect to virtually all aspects of our business, including:
 
  •  transportation and storage of natural gas;
 
  •  rates and charges;
 
  •  terms of service including creditworthiness requirements;
 
  •  construction of new facilities;
 
  •  extension or abandonment of service and facilities;
 
  •  accounts and records;
 
  •  depreciation and amortization policies;
 
  •  our relationships with our marketing affiliates; and
 
  •  the initiation and discontinuation of services.
 
Our interstate pipelines and Market Hub’s Egan facility hold certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by FERC pursuant to Section 7 of the NGA covering our facilities, activities and services. These certificates require our interstate pipelines and storage facilities to provide on a non-discriminatory basis open-access services to all customers who qualify under their respective FERC gas tariffs. Under Section 8 of the NGA, FERC has the power to prescribe the accounting treatment of items for regulatory purposes. The books and records of our interstate pipelines storage facilities may be periodically audited by FERC.
 
FERC regulates the rates and charges for transportation and storage in interstate commerce. Natural gas companies may not charge rates that have been determined not to be just and reasonable.
 
The maximum recourse rates that may be charged by our pipelines for their services are established through FERC’s ratemaking process. Generally, the maximum filed recourse rates for interstate pipelines are based on the cost of service including recovery of and a return on the pipeline’s actual prudent historical cost investment. Key determinants in the ratemaking process are costs of providing service, allowed rate of return and volume throughput and contractual capacity commitment assumptions. The allowed rate of return must be approved by FERC as part of the resolution of each rate case. The maximum applicable recourse rates and terms and conditions for service are set forth in each pipeline’s FERC approved tariff. Rate design and the allocation of costs also can impact a pipeline’s profitability. Our interstate pipelines are permitted to discount their firm and interruptible rates without further FERC authorization down to the variable cost of performing service, provided they do not “unduly discriminate.”
 
Our interstate pipelines may also use “negotiated rates” which, in theory, could involve rates above or below the “recourse rate,” provided the affected customers are willing to agree to such rates. A prerequisite for having the right to agree to negotiated rates is that negotiated rate customers must have had the option to take service under the pipeline’s maximum recourse rates. All of Gulfstream’s firm transportation agreements extending for more than one year are subject to negotiated, rather than recourse, rates. Approximately 30% of East Tennessee’s firm transportation agreements extending for more than one year are subject to negotiated, rather than recourse, rates. Each negotiated rate transaction of Gulfstream and East Tennessee is designed to fix the negotiated rate for the term of the firm transportation agreement or the negotiated rate agreement, as applicable.
 
On November 1, 2005, East Tennessee placed into effect new rates approved by FERC as a result of a rate settlement with customers. The settlement agreement includes a five year rate moratorium that continues through 2010. Gulfstream currently has no obligation to file a new rate case.


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The Egan facility has market-based rate authority that permits it to charge rates set by the markets for its services. FERC has determined that the market in which Egan provides its interstate services is sufficiently competitive such that the market will set just and reasonable rates for those services. Like our other operating subsidiaries, Egan, as a natural gas company under the NGA, is prohibited from unduly discriminating among customers in the rates, terms and conditions pursuant to which it provides its services. The market-based rates that Egan negotiates with individual customers are made public by a posting on Egan’s website.
 
Commencing in 2003, FERC issued a series of orders adopting rules for new Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers (Order No. 2004) which apply to interstate natural gas pipelines, including East Tennessee and Gulfstream, and to certain natural gas storage companies, including Market Hub’s Egan facilities, which provides storage services in interstate commerce. Order No. 2004 became effective in 2004. Among other matters, Order No. 2004 required our interstate pipelines and storage companies to operate independently from their energy affiliates, prohibited our interstate pipelines and storage companies from providing non-public transportation or shipper information to their energy affiliates, prohibited our interstate pipelines and storage companies from favoring their energy affiliates in providing service and obligated our interstate pipelines and storage companies to post on their websites a number of items of information concerning the company, including its organizational structure, facilities shared with energy affiliates, discounts given for service and instances in which the company has agreed to waive discretionary terms of its tariff.
 
Late in 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated and remanded Order No. 2004, as it relates to natural gas transportation providers, including our natural gas pipelines and storage companies. The court objected to FERC’s expansion of the prior standards of conduct to include energy affiliates, and vacated the entire rule as it relates to natural gas transportation providers. On January 9, 2007, and as clarified on March 21, 2007, FERC issued an interim rule re-promulgating on an interim basis the standards of conduct that were not challenged before the court, while FERC decides how to respond to the court’s decision on a permanent basis. The interim rule makes the standards of conduct apply to the relationship between natural gas transportation providers and their marketing affiliates, but not to energy affiliates who are not also marketing affiliates. Several companies requested rehearing and clarification of the interim rule. The March 21, 2007 order on clarification granted same of the requested clarifications and stated that it would address the other requests in its proceeding establishing a permanent rule. FERC has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, or NOPR, that proposes permanent standards of conduct that FERC states will avoid the aspects of the previous standards of conduct rejected by the court. With respect to natural gas transportation providers, the NOPR proposes (1) that the permanent standards of conduct apply only to the relationship between natural gas transportation providers and their marketing affiliates, and (2) to make permanent the changes adopted in the interim rule permitting risk management employees to be shared by natural gas transportation providers and their marketing affiliates and requiring that tariff waivers be maintained in a written waiver log and available upon request. We have no way to predict with certainty the scope of FERC’s permanent rules on the standards of conduct. However, we do not believe that our natural gas pipeline and storage companies will be affected by any action taken previously or in the future on these matters materially differently than other natural gas service providers with whom we compete.
 
FERC Policy Statement on Income Tax Allowances
 
In a decision issued in July 2004 involving an oil pipeline limited partnership, BP West Coast Products, LLC v. FERC, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) vacated the portion of a FERC decision applying the Lakehead policy. In its Lakehead decision, FERC allowed an oil pipeline publicly traded partnership to include in its cost-of-service an income tax allowance to the extent that its unitholders were corporations subject to income tax. In May and June 2005, FERC issued a statement of general policy, as well as an order on remand of BP West Coast, respectively, in which it stated it will permit pipelines to include in cost-of-service a tax allowance to reflect actual or potential tax liability on their public utility income attributable to all partnership or limited liability


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company interests, if the ultimate owner of the interest has an actual or potential income tax liability on such income. Whether a pipeline’s owners have such actual or potential income tax liability will be reviewed by FERC on a case-by-case basis. The new policy entails rate risk due to the case-by-case review requirement. FERC’s BP West Coast remand decision and the new tax allowance policy were appealed to the D.C. Circuit. The D.C. Circuit issued an order May 29, 2007 in which it denied these appeals and fully upheld FERC’s new tax allowance policy and the application of that policy in the BP West Coast remand decision. We have no way of knowing whether any party will seek rehearing or appeal of the D.C. Circuit’s decision. However, it is possible that a party could request rehearing of the decision and/or petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.
 
On December 8, 2006, FERC issued a new order addressing rates on one of SFPP’s interstate oil pipelines. In that order, FERC chose to take up and address challenges to the policy statement raised by shippers in filings in another docket earlier in 2006. In the new order, FERC refined its income tax allowance policy, and notably raised a new issue regarding the implication of the policy statement for publicly traded partnerships. It noted that the tax deferral features of a publicly traded partnership may cause some investors to receive, for some indeterminate duration, cash distributions in excess of their taxable income, which FERC characterized as a “tax savings.” FERC stated that it is concerned that this created an opportunity for those investors to earn an additional return, funded by ratepayers. Responding to this concern, FERC chose to adjust the pipeline’s equity rate of return downward based on the percentage by which the publicly traded partnership’s cash flow exceeded taxable income. On February 7, 2007, SFPP asked FERC to reconsider this ruling. The ultimate outcome of this proceeding is not certain and could result in changes to FERC’s treatment of income tax allowances in cost of service and to potential adjustment in a future rate case of our pipelines’ respective equity rates of return that underlie their recourse rates to the extent that cash distributions in excess of taxable income are allowed to some unitholders. If FERC were to disallow a substantial portion of East Tennessee’s or Gulfstream’s income tax allowance, it may be more difficult for these pipelines to justify their rates in future proceedings.
 
Energy Policy Act of 2005
 
On August 8, 2005, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act of 2005, or EP Act 2005. Among other matters, EP Act 2005 amends the NGA, to add an antimanipulation provision which makes it unlawful for any entity to engage in prohibited behavior in contravention of rules and regulations to be prescribed by FERC and provides FERC with additional civil penalty authority. On January 19, 2006, FERC issued Order No. 670, a rule implementing the antimanipulation provision of EP Act 2005, and subsequently denied rehearing. The rules make it unlawful in connection with the purchase or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of FERC, or the purchase or sale of transportation services subject to the jurisdiction of FERC, for any entity, directly or indirectly, to use or employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud; to make any untrue statement of material fact or omit to make any such statement necessary to make the statements made not misleading; or to engage in any act or practice that operates as a fraud or deceit upon any person. The new anti-manipulation rule does not apply to activities that relate only to intrastate or other non-jurisdictional sales or gathering, but does apply to activities of gas pipelines and storage companies that provide interstate services, as well as otherwise non-jurisdictional entities to the extent the activities are conducted “in connection with” gas sales, purchases or transportation subject to FERC jurisdiction. EP Act 2005 also amends the NGA and the Natural Gas Policy Act to give FERC authority to impose civil penalties for violations of the NGA up to $1,000,000 per day per violation for violations occurring after August 8, 2005. In connection with this enhanced civil penalty authority, FERC issued a policy statement on enforcement to provide guidance regarding the enforcement of the statutes, orders, rules and regulations it administers, including factors to be considered in determining the appropriate enforcement action to be taken. The antimanipulation rule and enhanced civil penalty authority reflect an expansion of FERC’s NGA enforcement authority. Additional proposals and proceedings that might affect the natural gas industry are pending before Congress, FERC and the courts. The natural gas industry historically has been heavily regulated. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the less stringent and pro-competition regulatory approach recently pursued by FERC and Congress will continue.


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Additional Regulation of Moss Bluff
 
FERC performs ratemaking oversight with respect to intrastate pipelines and storage companies that perform service pursuant to Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and that perform service that is similar to Section 311 service but which, for jurisdictional reasons, is actually performed under a limited certificate issued under Section 7 of the NGA. Under Section 311 or a limited Section 7 certificate, an intrastate pipeline or storage company, like Moss Bluff, can perform service that is in interstate commerce, and would therefore ordinarily cause all of the facility’s activities to be subject to FERC’s jurisdiction under the NGA, without subjecting the intrastate pipeline or storage company to comprehensive NGA jurisdiction. FERC regulates the rates for the Section 311 service in one of three ways. FERC may directly regulate the rates using essentially the same methodology as is employed to establish “just reasonable and recourse rates” for interstate pipelines. Intrastate pipelines and storage companies are generally required by FERC to have these Section 311 rates reviewed every three years. As an alternative, some intrastate pipelines and storage companies may be allowed to utilize certain “city gate rates” on file with a state regulatory agency as the rates for Section 311 service. As a second alternative, some intrastate pipelines and storage companies are permitted to charge market-based rates following a determination by FERC that the markets in which the intrastate pipeline or storage company provides services are workably competitive.
 
Moss Bluff is a “Hinshaw” facility, which is specifically exempt from FERC jurisdiction pursuant to Section 1(c) of the NGA. However, in order to provide service in interstate commerce without subjecting the entirety of its facilities and services to FERC jurisdiction, Moss Bluff provides service in interstate commerce pursuant to a limited certificate issued under Section 7 of the NGA. As a limited certificate holder, Moss Bluff has a Statement of Operating Conditions on file with FERC that govern the services it provides in interstate commerce. With respect to the rates that it charges for such services, FERC has authorized Moss Bluff to charge market-based rates for its firm and interruptible storage services and its interruptible hub services. If FERC determines that the market in which Moss Bluff provides its interstate services is not workably competitive, FERC could revoke Moss Bluff’s ability to charge market-based rates and instead require Moss Bluff to establish rates pursuant to one of the other alternatives discussed above.
 
The Moss Bluff facility is also subject to the jurisdiction of the TRC as a “gas utility.” As a gas utility, Moss Bluff’s intrastate rates and services and its facilities are subject to TRC regulation. Moss Bluff has a tariff on file with the TRC and it files intrastate service agreements with the TRC. Any future expansion of Moss Bluff’s facilities is subject to approval by the TRC.
 
Seasonality
 
Our revenues are not generally seasonal in nature, nor are they typically affected by weather and price volatility. Weather impacts natural gas demand for power generation and heating purposes, which in turn influences the value of transportation and storage across our systems. Colder than normal winters or warmer than normal summers typically result in increased pipeline revenues. Price volatility also affects gas prices, which in turn influences drilling and production. Peak demand for natural gas typically occurs during the winter months, caused by the heating load, although certain markets such as the Florida market served by Gulfstream peaks in the summer months due to cooling demands. During 2006 approximately 48% of our pipeline and storage revenues were realized in the first and fourth calendar quarters while approximately 52% of our pipeline and storage revenues were realized in the second and third calendar quarters.
 
Environmental Regulation
 
General.   Our natural gas transportation, and natural gas and LNG storage activities are subject to stringent and complex federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing environmental protection, including air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, and solid waste management. Such laws and regulations generally require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental registrations, licenses, permits, and other approvals. These laws and regulations also can restrict or impact our business activities in many ways, such as restricting the way we handle or dispose of our wastes; requiring remedial


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action to mitigate pollution conditions that may be caused by our operations or that are attributable to former operators; and enjoining some or all of the operations of facilities deemed in non-compliance with permits issued pursuant to such environmental laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations.
 
We accrue for expenses associated with environmental liabilities when the costs are probable and reasonably estimable. The amount of any accrual for environmental liabilities could change substantially in the future due to factors including the nature and extent of any contamination that we may be required to remediate, changes in remedial requirements, technological changes, discovery of new information, and the involvement and direction taken by the EPA, FERC, DOT and any other governmental authorities on these matters.
 
We believe that compliance with existing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, or results of operations. Nevertheless, the trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment. As a result, there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental compliance or remediation, and actual future expenditures may be different from the amounts we currently anticipate. The following is a discussion of some of the environmental laws and regulations that are applicable to our natural gas transportation, and natural gas and LNG storage activities.
 
Waste Management.   Our operations generate hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes that are subject to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state laws, which impose detailed requirements for the handling, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes. For instance, RCRA prohibits the disposal of certain hazardous wastes on land without prior treatment, and requires generators of wastes subject to land disposal restrictions to provide notification of pre-treatment requirements to disposal facilities that are in receipt of these wastes. Generators of hazardous wastes also must comply with certain standards for the accumulation and storage of hazardous wastes, as well as recordkeeping and reporting requirements applicable to hazardous waste storage and disposal activities. RCRA imposes fewer restrictions on the handling, storage and disposal of non-hazardous wastes, which includes certain wastes associated with the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.
 
Site Remediation.   The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as “Superfund,” and comparable state laws and regulations impose liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons responsible for the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Such classes of persons include the current and past owners or operators of sites where a hazardous substance was released, and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances at offsite locations, such as landfills. CERCLA authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and in some cases third parties, to take actions in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the costs they incur. If in the future we are considered a responsible party under CERCLA, we could be subject to joint and several, strict liability for the costs of cleaning up and restoring sites where hazardous substances have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of substances or wastes into the environment.
 
We currently own or lease properties that for many years have been used for the transportation and compression of natural gas, and the storage of natural gas and LNG. Although we typically have used operating and disposal practices that were standard in the industry at the time, wastes may have been disposed of or released on or under the properties owned or leased by us or on or under other locations where such substances have been taken for disposal. In addition, some of the properties may have been operated by third parties or by previous owners whose treatment and disposal or release of wastes was not


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under our control. These properties and the substances disposed or released on them may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws. Under such laws, we could be required to remove previously disposed wastes, including waste disposed of by prior owners or operators; remediate contaminated property, including groundwater contamination, whether from prior owners or operators or other historic activities or spills; or perform remedial closure operations to prevent future contamination.
 
Air Emissions.   The Clean Air Act (“CAA”) and comparable state laws regulate emissions of air pollutants from various industrial sources, including compressor stations, and also impose various monitoring and reporting requirements. Such laws and regulations may require pre-approval for the construction or modification of certain projects or facilities expected to produce air emissions or result in an increase of existing air emissions; application for, and strict compliance with, air permits containing various emissions and operational limitations; or the utilization of specific emission control technologies to limit emissions. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in monetary penalties, injunctions, conditions or restrictions on operations, and potentially criminal enforcement actions.
 
We may incur expenditures in the future for air pollution control equipment in connection with obtaining or maintaining operating permits and approvals for air emissions. For instance, we may be required to supplement or modify our air emission control equipment and strategies due to changes in state implementation plans for controlling air emissions in regional non-attainment areas, or stricter regulatory requirements for sources of hazardous air pollutants. However, we do not believe that any such future requirements will have a material adverse affect on our operations.
 
Water Discharges.   The Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and analogous state laws impose strict controls with respect to the discharge of pollutants, including spills and leaks of oil and other substances, into waters of the United States. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by EPA or an analogous state agency. The CWA also regulates storm water runoff from certain industrial facilities. Accordingly, some states require industrial facilities to obtain and maintain storm water discharge permits, and monitor and sample storm water runoff from their facilities. Under the CWA, federal and state regulatory agencies may impose administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties for non-compliance with discharge permits or other requirements of the CWA and analogous state laws and regulations.
 
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), which amends and augments the CWA, establishes strict liability for owners and operators of facilities that are the site of a release of oil into waters of the United States. OPA and its associated regulations impose a variety of requirements on responsible parties related to the prevention of oil spills and liability for damages resulting from such spills. For example, operators of certain oil and gas facilities must develop, implement and maintain facility response plans, conduct annual spill training for certain employees and provide varying degrees of financial assurance.
 
Activities on Federal Lands.   Natural gas transportation activities conducted on federal lands are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). NEPA requires federal agencies, including the Department of Interior, to evaluate major agency actions having the potential to significantly impact the environment. In the course of such evaluations, an agency will prepare an Environmental Assessment that assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement that may be made available for public review and comment. Our current activities, as well as any proposed plans for future activities, on federal lands are subject to the requirements of NEPA.
 
Endangered Species.   The Endangered Species Act restricts activities that may affect endangered species or their habitats. Some of our natural gas pipelines are located in areas inhabited by endangered species. Specifically, a portion of the East Tennessee pipeline, known as the Jewell Ridge Lateral pipeline, is located in the Indian Creek watershed, which serves as a habitat for certain endangered mussels. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) notified us in September 2006 of impacts to these mussels and their habitat, which according to the agency, was caused by the runoff of sedimentation into Indian Creek as a result of our operations associated with the construction of the Jewell Ridge Lateral pipeline. We have been in consultation with the FWS and FERC to resolve this matter, and expect that we ultimately will be


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required to provide funding for mitigation measures as well as other habitat restoration and species monitoring projects designated by the FWS. We estimate that these projects may cost between approximately $400,000 and $2 million, depending upon the nature of the measures required by the FWS.
 
Other Laws and Regulations.   Recent studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. In response to these studies, many nations have agreed to limit emissions of “greenhouse gases,” pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change, also known as the “Kyoto Protocol.” Methane, a primary component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a byproduct of the burning of natural gas and oil, and refined petroleum products, are “greenhouse gases” regulated by the Kyoto Protocol. Although the United States is not participating in the Kyoto Protocol, the current session of Congress is considering climate change legislation, with multiple bills having been introduced in the Senate that propose to restrict greenhouse gas emissions. Several states have already adopted legislation, regulations and/or regulatory initiatives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. For instance, California adopted the “California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006”, which requires the California Air Resources Board to achieve a 25% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from sources in California by 2020. Additionally, on November 29, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on and has since begun reviewing a decision made by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Massachusetts, et al v. EPA , a case in which the appellate court held that EPA had discretion under the Clean Air Act to refuse to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from mobile sources. Passage of climate change legislation by Congress or a Supreme Court reversal of the appellate decision could result in federal regulation of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases. Currently, our operations are not adversely impacted by existing state and local climate change initiatives, and at this time, it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions would impact our operations or financial condition.
 
Title to Properties and Rights-of-Way
 
Our real property falls into two categories: (1) parcels that we (or entities in which we own an interest) own in fee and (2) parcels in which our interest derives from leases, easements, rights-of-way, permits or licenses from landowners or governmental authorities permitting the use of such land for our operations. Portions of the land on which our plants and other major facilities are located are owned by us (or entities in which we own an interest) in fee title, and we believe that we have satisfactory title to these lands. The remainder of the land on which our plant sites and major facilities are located are held by us (or entities in which we own an interest) pursuant to ground leases between us (or entities in which we own an interest), as lessee, and the fee owner of the lands, as lessors. We, our predecessor or our or their affiliates, have leased these lands, in some cases, for many years without any material challenge known to us relating to the title to the land upon which the assets are located, and we believe that we have satisfactory leasehold estates to such lands. We have no knowledge of any challenge to the underlying fee title of any material lease, easement, right-of-way, permit or license held by us or to our title to any material lease, easement, right-of-way, permit or lease, and we believe that we have satisfactory title to all of our material leases, easements, rights-of-way, permits and licenses.
 
Insurance
 
Our insurance program includes general liability insurance, auto liability insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, and property insurance in amounts which management believes are reasonable and appropriate.
 
Facilities
 
Spectra Energy leases office space for its corporate offices in Houston, Texas. The lease expires on April 1, 2027 with a right of early termination exercisable by Spectra Energy beginning April 1, 2018.


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Employees
 
We do not have any employees. We are managed and operated by the directors and officers of our general partner. To carry out our operations, as of March 1, 2007, our general partner or its affiliates employed approximately 65 people who will spend at least a majority of their time operating the East Tennessee facilities. Market Hub is operated by Spectra Energy pursuant to an operating and maintenance agreement and the employees who operate the Market Hub assets are therefore not included in the above numbers. Gulfstream is operated by Spectra Energy (with respect to business functions) and by The Williams Companies (with respect to technical functions) pursuant to an operating and maintenance agreement and the employees who operate the Gulfstream assets are therefore not included in the above numbers. Please read “Management — Management of Spectra Energy Partners, LP.”
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We are not a party to any legal proceeding other than legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are a party to various administrative and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. Please read “Regulations — FERC Regulation.”


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MANAGEMENT
 
Management of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
Because our general partner is a limited partnership, its general partner, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, will manage our operations and activities. Our general partner is not elected by our unitholders and will not be subject to re-election on a regular basis in the future. Unitholders will not be entitled to elect the directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation. Our general partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders. Our general partner will be liable, as general partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are made expressly nonrecourse to it. Our general partner therefore may cause us to incur indebtedness or other obligations that are nonrecourse to it.
 
The directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will oversee our operations. Upon the closing of this offering, we will have at least six directors. We intend to increase the size of the board of directors to seven following the closing of this offering. Spectra Energy will elect all members to the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC and we expect that, when the size of our board increases to seven directors, we will have at least three directors that are independent as defined under the independence standards established by the New York Stock Exchange. The New York Stock Exchange does not require a listed limited partnership like us to have a majority of independent directors on the board of directors of our general partner or to establish a nominating and governance committee.
 
In compliance with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, Spectra Energy has appointed Steven D. Arnold and Nora M. Brownell as independent members to the board. Spectra Energy will appoint a third independent member within 12 months of the effective date of the registration statement. The independent members of the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will serve as the initial members of the conflicts and audit committees of the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC.
 
At least two members of the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will serve on a conflicts committee to review specific matters that the board believes may involve conflicts of interest. The conflicts committee will determine if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us. The members of the conflicts committee may not be officers or employees of our general partner or directors, officers, or employees of its affiliates, and must meet the independence and experience standards established by the New York Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors, and certain other requirements. Any matters approved by the conflicts committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our general partner of any duties it may owe us or our unitholders.
 
In addition, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will have an audit committee of at least three directors who meet the independence and experience standards established by the New York Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The audit committee will assist the board of directors in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and corporate policies and controls. The audit committee will have the sole authority to retain and terminate our independent registered public accounting firm, approve all auditing services and related fees and the terms thereof, and pre-approve any non-audit services to be rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee will also be responsible for confirming the independence and objectivity of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm will be given unrestricted access to the audit committee.
 
All of our executive management personnel will be employees of our general partner and will devote all of their time to our business and affairs. The officers of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will manage the day-to-day affairs of our business. We will also utilize a significant number of employees of Spectra Energy to operate our business and provide us with general and administrative services. We will reimburse Spectra Energy for allocated expenses of operational personnel who perform services for our benefit and we will


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reimburse Spectra Energy for allocated general and administrative expenses. Please read “— Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner.”
 
Directors and Executive Officers
 
The following table shows information regarding the current directors and executive officers of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC. Directors are elected for one-year terms.
 
             
Name
  Age    
Position with Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
 
Martha B. Wyrsch
    49     Chairman of the Board
C. Gregory Harper
    43     President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Lon C. Mitchell, Jr. 
    54     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
William S. Garner, Jr. 
    57     Director
Gregory J. Rizzo
    50     Director
Steven D. Arnold
    46     Director
Nora M. Brownell
    60     Director
 
Our directors hold office until the earlier of their death, resignation, removal or disqualification or until their successors have been elected and qualified. Officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
 
Martha B. Wyrsch was elected Chairman of the Board of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in March 2007. Ms. Wyrsch is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Energy Transmission and also a director of Spectra Energy. Ms. Wyrsch assumed her current position effective in January 2007. Ms. Wyrsch served as President of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from March 2005 until assuming her current position. Ms. Wyrsch served as Group Vice President and General Counsel of Duke Energy Corporation from January 2004 until March 2005. Prior to then, Ms. Wyrsch served as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs for Duke Energy Corporation from February 2003 until January 2004; Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Duke Energy Field Services from September 1999 until January 2003.
 
C. Gregory Harper was elected President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Board of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in March 2007. Mr. Harper is currently Group Vice President of Analysis and Transition for Spectra Energy. Mr. Harper assumed his current position in May 2006. Mr. Harper served as Group Vice President of Energy Marketing and Management for Duke Energy Americas from January 2004 until May 2006. Prior to then, Mr. Harper served as Senior Vice President of Energy Marketing for Duke Energy North America from January 2003 until January 2004; Vice President of Business Development for Duke Energy Gas Transmission and Vice President of East Tennessee Natural Gas from March 2002 until January 2003; and General Manager from June 1999 until March 2002.
 
Lon C. Mitchell, Jr. was elected Chief Financial Officer of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in March 2007. Mr. Mitchell is currently acting as Senior Financial Advisor providing transition support for Spectra Energy. Mr. Mitchell assumed his current position in October 2006. Mr. Mitchell previously served as Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Duke Energy Americas from June 2005 until October 2006. Prior to then, Mr. Mitchell served as Senior Vice President and Chief Restructuring Officer for Duke Energy Americas from August 2003 until June 2005; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Duke Energy North America from April 2002 until August 2003; Vice President of Duke Energy Merchants from April 2000 until April 2002.
 
William S. Garner, Jr. was elected to the Board of Directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in May 2007. Mr. Garner is currently serving as Group Executive, General Counsel and Secretary of Spectra Energy. Mr. Garner served as Group Vice President, Corporate Development of Duke Energy Gas Transmission from March 2006 until assuming his current position. Prior to joining Duke Energy, Mr. Garner served as managing director at Petrie Parkman & Co., a company which provides investment banking and advisory services to the energy industry and institutional investors. He served in this position from March 2000 until March 2006.


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Gregory J. Rizzo was elected to the Board of Directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in May 2007. Mr. Rizzo is currently serving as Group Vice President of U.S. Regulatory and Project Management for Spectra Energy Transmission. Mr. Rizzo previously served as Group Vice President for Duke Energy Gas Transmission from March 2004 until assuming his current position. Prior to then, Mr. Rizzo served as Executive Vice President of Duke Energy Corporation from February 2003 until March 2004; and Senior Vice President from March 2002 until February 2003.
 
Steven D. Arnold was elected to the Board of Directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in May 2007 and will serve on our Audit Committee and the Conflicts Committee. Mr. Arnold currently serves as President of Bordley Management Co., a private investment management and consulting services in Houston, Texas, and has served in this capacity since 2000. Prior to that from 1988 to 1999, Mr. Arnold served in roles of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President from December 1996 to April 1999, for Prudential Capital Group, a unit of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Mr. Arnold received his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas in 1983 and his Master of Business Administration from the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School at Rice University in 1988. Mr. Arnold currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Avalon Advisors LP, in Texas and Alliance Real Estate Value Fund, in Colorado.
 
Nora M. Brownell was elected to the Board of Directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in May 2007 and will serve on our Audit Committee and the Conflicts Committee. In May 2001, Ms. Brownell was confirmed as Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission where she served until the expiration of her term in June 2006. During her time as Commissioner, Ms. Brownell was an advocate for the development of regional transmission organizations, markets for wholesale power and national energy infrastructure development. Prior to her time as Commissioner, she served as a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from 1997 to 2001. Ms. Brownell previously served as Acting Executive Director of the Regional Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia a $200 million arts and economic development initiative and as Senior Vice President for Meridian Bancorp Inc’s Corporate Affairs Unit. Ms. Brownell is the former President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Ms. Brownell also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Comverge, Inc.
 
Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner
 
Our general partner will not receive any management fee or other compensation for its management of our partnership under the omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy or otherwise. Under the terms of the omnibus agreement, we will reimburse Spectra Energy up to $3.0 million annually for the provision of various general and administrative services for our benefit, which amount will be adjusted for inflation during the first three years. We will also reimburse Spectra Energy for direct expenses incurred on our behalf and expenses allocated to us as a result of our becoming a public entity. The partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Omnibus Agreement.”
 
Executive Compensation
 
Our general partner and Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC were formed in March 2007. Accordingly, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC has not accrued any obligations with respect to management incentive or retirement benefits for its directors and officers for the 2006 fiscal year. The compensation of the executive officers of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will be set by the compensation committee of Spectra Energy and ratified by the Board of Directors of our general partner. The officers and employees of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC may participate in employee benefit plans and arrangements sponsored by Spectra Energy. Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC has not entered into any employment agreements with any of its officers. We anticipate that the board of directors will grant awards to our key employees and our outside directors pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan described below following the closing of this offering; however, the board has not yet made any determination as to the number of awards, the type of awards or when the awards would be granted.


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
We do not directly employ any of the persons responsible for managing our business and we do not have a compensation committee. We are managed by our general partner, the executive officers of which are employees of Spectra Energy. Our reimbursement for the compensation of executive officers is governed by the omnibus agreement and will generally be based on time allocated during a period to us and Spectra Energy.
 
During 2006, our executive officers were not specifically compensated for time expended with respect to our business or assets. Accordingly, we are not presenting any compensation for historical periods. Compensation paid or awarded by us in 2007 with respect to our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer, and together with our principal executive officer, our “named executive officers”) reflect only the portion of compensation paid by Spectra Energy that is allocated to us pursuant to Spectra Energy’s allocation methodology and subject to the terms of the omnibus agreement. Our named executive officers will devote 100% of their time to our business and affairs and we expect that for the period from the completion of this offering until December 31, 2007, all of the compensation paid by Spectra Energy to our named executive officers will be allocated to us. The Board of Directors of Spectra Energy has ultimate decision making authority with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers. The elements of compensation discussed below, and Spectra Energy’s decisions with respect to determinations on payments, will not be subject to approvals by the board of directors of our general partner. Compensation of our executive officers, including awards under our long term incentive plan will be approved by the compensation committee of the board of directors of Spectra Energy or its delegate and ratified by the Board of Directors of our general partner.
 
With respect to compensation objectives and decisions regarding our named executive officers for 2007, the compensation committee of Spectra Energy will approve the compensation of our named executive officers based on its compensation philosophy, which is to reward both continued employment and performance through a combination of short-term bonus incentives and long-term equity compensation. Senior management of Spectra Energy typically consults with compensation consultants and reviews market data for determining relevant compensation levels and compensation program elements through the review of and, in certain cases, participation in, various relevant compensation surveys. Senior management then submits a proposal to the compensation committee of Spectra Energy, for the compensation to be paid or awarded to executives and employees for consideration. Spectra Energy intends to consult with compensation consultants with respect to determining 2007 compensation for the named executive officers in a manner consistent with its current compensation philosophy. All compensation determinations are discretionary and are, as noted above, subject to Spectra Energy’s decision-making authority.
 
The elements of Spectra Energy compensation program discussed below are intended to provide an incentive package designed to drive performance and reward contributions in support of the business strategies of Spectra Energy and its affiliates at the corporate, partnership and individual levels. Historically, more than half of the compensation provided to Spectra Energy’s executive officers was provided in the form of short-term and long-term incentives. We expect that compensation for our executive officers in 2007 and the future will be structured in a similar manner.
 
The primary elements of Spectra Energy’s compensation program are a combination of annual cash and long-term, equity-based compensation. For 2007, elements of compensation for our named executive officers are expected to be the following:
 
  •  annual base salary;
 
  •  annual performance based cash bonuses;
 
  •  performance awards under Spectra Energy’s and our long-term incentive plan;
 
  •  Spectra Energy’s contributions under its 401(k) and profit sharing plan; and
 
  •  Spectra Energy’s other benefit plans on the same basis as all other Spectra Energy employees.


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We expect Spectra Energy to establish these salaries based on historical salaries paid to our named executive officers for services rendered to Spectra Energy, the extent of their equity ownership in Spectra Energy, market data and responsibilities of our named executive officers that may or may not be related to our business.
 
The short term incentive payments, in combination with base salaries and long-term incentive awards, are intended to yield competitive total cash compensation levels for the executive officers and drive performance in support of business strategies as well as our own. The portion of any short-term incentive payments allocable to us will be based on Spectra Energy’s methodology used for allocating general and administrative expenses, subject to the limitations in the omnibus agreement. It is Spectra Energy’s general policy to pay these awards during the first quarter.
 
We plan to issue our executive officers long-term equity based awards intended to compensate the officers based on the performance of our common units and their continued employment during the vesting period. These awards will be made pursuant to a long-term incentive plan adopted by us and administered by Spectra Energy. Please see “— Long-Term Incentive Plan.” The cost of such awards will be allocated to us pursuant to Spectra Energy’s allocation methodology and subject to the terms of the omnibus agreement. The Spectra Energy Partners equity-based awards that we intend to make to both our named executive officers and the directors of our general partner are intended to align their long-term interests with those of our unitholders.
 
The terms and amount of Spectra Energy Partners equity awards that we intend to make to each of our non-management and independent directors under our long-term incentive plan will be recommended and approved by Spectra Energy’s compensation committee or its delegate and approved by our general partner.
 
We believe that each of the base salary, cash award, and equity awards fit the overall compensation objectives of us and of Spectra Energy, as stated above, i.e., to provide competitive compensation opportunities to align and drive employee performance in support of Spectra Energy’s business strategies as well as our own and to attract, motivate and retain high quality talent with the skills and competencies required by Spectra Energy and us.
 
Compensation of Directors
 
Officers or employees of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC or its affiliates who also serve as directors will not receive additional compensation for their service as a director of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC. Our general partner anticipates that directors who are not officers or employees of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC or its affiliates will receive compensation for attending meetings of the board of directors and committee meetings. The amount of such compensation has not yet been determined. In addition, each non-employee director will be reimbursed for his out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors or committees. Each director will be fully indemnified by us for his actions associated with being a director to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
 
Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
General.   Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC intends to adopt a Long-Term Incentive Plan, or the Plan, for employees, consultants and directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC and its affiliates who perform services for us. The summary of the Plan contained herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan. The Plan provides for the grant of restricted units, phantom units, unit options and substitute awards and, with respect to unit options and phantom units, the grant of distribution equivalent rights, or DERs. Subject to adjustment for certain events, an aggregate of 900,000 common units may be delivered pursuant to awards under the Plan. Units that are cancelled, forfeited or are withheld to satisfy Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC’s tax withholding obligations are available for delivery pursuant to other awards. The Plan will be administered by the compensation committee of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC’s board of directors.


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Restricted Units and Phantom Units.   A restricted unit is a common unit that is subject to forfeiture. Upon vesting, the grantee receives a common unit that is not subject to forfeiture. A phantom unit is a notional unit that entitles the grantee to receive a common unit upon the vesting of the phantom unit or, in the discretion of the compensation committee, cash equal to the fair market value of a common unit. The compensation committee may make grants of restricted units and phantom units under the Plan to eligible individuals containing such terms, consistent with the Plan, as the compensation committee may determine, including the period over which restricted units and phantom units granted will vest. The compensation committee may, in its discretion, base vesting on the grantee’s completion of a period of service or upon the achievement of specified financial objectives or other criteria. In addition, the restricted and phantom units will vest automatically upon a change of control (as defined in the Plan) of us or Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, subject to any contrary provisions in the award agreement.
 
If a grantee’s employment, consulting or membership on the board terminates for any reason, the grantee’s restricted units and phantom units will be automatically forfeited unless, and to the extent, the award agreement or the compensation committee provides otherwise. Common units to be delivered with respect to these awards may be common units acquired by Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in the open market, common units already owned by Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, common units acquired by Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC directly from us or any other person, or any combination of the foregoing. Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will be entitled to reimbursement by us for the cost incurred in acquiring common units. If we issue new common units with respect to these awards, the total number of common units outstanding will increase.
 
Distributions made by us with respect to awards of restricted units may, in the compensation committee’s discretion, be subject to the same vesting requirements as the restricted units. The compensation committee, in its discretion, may also grant tandem DERs with respect to phantom units on such terms as it deems appropriate. DERs are rights that entitle the grantee to receive, with respect to a phantom unit, cash equal to the cash distributions made by us on a common unit.
 
We intend for the restricted units and phantom units granted under the Plan to serve as a means of incentive compensation for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to participate in the equity appreciation of the common units. Therefore, participants will not pay any consideration for the common units they receive with respect to these types of awards, and neither we nor our general partner will receive remuneration for the units delivered with respect to these awards.
 
Unit Options.   The Plan also permits the grant of options covering common units. Unit options may be granted to such eligible individuals and with such terms as the compensation committee may determine, consistent with the Plan; however, a unit option must have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a common unit on the date of grant.
 
Upon exercise of a unit option, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will acquire common units in the open market at a price equal to the prevailing price on the principal national securities exchange upon which the common units are then traded, or directly from us or any other person, or use common units already owned by the general partner, or any combination of the foregoing. Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will be entitled to reimbursement by us for the difference between the cost incurred by Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC in acquiring the common units and the proceeds received by Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC from an optionee at the time of exercise. Thus, we will bear the cost of the unit options. If we issue new common units upon exercise of the unit options, the total number of common units outstanding will increase, and Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC will remit the proceeds it received from the optionee upon exercise of the unit option to us. The unit option plan has been designed to furnish additional compensation to employees, consultants and directors and to align their economic interests with those of common unitholders.
 
Substitution Awards.   The compensation committee, in its discretion, may grant substitute or replacement awards to eligible individuals who, in connection with an acquisition made by us, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC or an affiliate, have forfeited an equity-based award in their former employer. A


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substitute award that is an option may have an exercise price less than the value of a common unit on the date of grant of the award.
 
Termination of Long-Term Incentive Plan.   Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC’s board of directors, in its discretion, may terminate the Plan at any time with respect to the common units for which a grant has not theretofore been made. The Plan will automatically terminate on the earlier of the 10th anniversary of the date it was initially approved by our unitholders or when common units are no longer available for delivery pursuant to awards under the Plan. Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC’s board of directors will also have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part of it from time to time and the Committee may amend any award; provided, however, that no change in any outstanding award may be made that would materially impair the rights of the participant without the consent of the affected participant. Subject to unitholder approval, if required by the rules of the principal national securities exchange upon which the common units are traded, the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC may increase the number of common units that may be delivered with respect to awards under the Plan.


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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our units that will be issued upon the consummation of this offering and the related transactions and held by:
 
  •  each person who then will beneficially own 5% or more of the then outstanding units;
 
  •  all of the directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC;
 
  •  each named executive officer of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC; and
 
  •  all directors and officers of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC as a group.
 
                                         
                            Percentage of
 
                            Total Common
 
                      Percentage of
    and
 
    Common Units
    Percentage of
    Subordinated
    Subordinated
    Subordinated
 
    to be
    Common Units to
    Units to be
    Units to be
    Units to be
 
    Beneficially
    be Beneficially
    Beneficially
    Beneficially
    Beneficially
 
Name of Beneficial Owner (1)
  Owned     Owned     Owned     Owned     Owned  
 
Spectra Energy Corp(2)
    32,844,733       76.7 %     20,773,204       100 %     84.3 %
Spectra Energy Transmission
            %             %        
Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. 
            %             %        
Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
            %             %        
Martha B. Wyrsch(3)
            %             %     %
C. Gregory Harper(3)
            %             %     %
Lon C. Mitchell, Jr.(3)
            %             %     %
William S. Garner, Jr.(3)
            %             %     %
Gregory J. Rizzo(3)
            %             %     %
Steven D. Arnold(3)
            %             %     %
Nora M. Brownell(3)
            %             %     %
All directors and executive officers as a group (seven persons)
                          %     %
 
 
(*) Less than 1% of units outstanding 
 
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address for all beneficial owners in this table is 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, TX 77056. 
 
(2) Spectra Energy Corp is the ultimate parent company of each of Spectra Energy Transmission, Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. and Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP and may, therefore, be deemed to beneficially own the units held by each of Spectra Energy Transmission, Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. and Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP.
 
(3) Does not include common units that may be purchased in the directed unit program.


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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
After this offering, Spectra Energy and its affiliates will own 32,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units representing an aggregate 82.6% limited partner interest in us. In addition, our general partner will own a 2% general partner interest in us and the incentive distribution rights.
 
Distributions and Payments to Our General Partner and its Affiliates
 
The following table summarizes the distributions and payments to be made by us to our general partner and its affiliates in connection with the formation, ongoing operation and any liquidation of Spectra Energy Partners, LP. These distributions and payments were determined by and among affiliated entities and, consequently, are not the result of arm’s-length negotiations.
 
Formation Stage
 
The consideration received by Spectra Energy and its subsidiaries for the contribution of the assets and liabilities to us
• 32,844,733 common units;
 
• 20,773,204 subordinated units;
 
• 1,298,325 general partner units;
 
• the incentive distribution rights;
 
• $270.3 million cash payment from the proceeds of borrowings under our credit facility.
 
Operational Stage
 
Distributions of available cash to our general partner and its affiliates We will generally make cash distributions 98% to our unitholders pro rata, including our general partner and its affiliates, as the holders of an aggregate 32,844,733 common units 20,773,204 subordinated units, and 2% to our general partner. In addition, if distributions exceed the minimum quarterly distribution and other higher target distribution levels, our general partner will be entitled to increasing percentages of the distributions, up to 50% of the distributions above the highest target distribution level.
 
Assuming we have sufficient available cash to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding units for four quarters, our general partner and its affiliates would receive an annual distribution of approximately $1.6 million on their general partner units and $67.0 million on their common and subordinated units.
 
Payments to our general partner and its affiliates We will reimburse Spectra Energy and its affiliates for the payment of certain operating expenses and for the provision of various general and administrative services for our benefit. For further information regarding the administrative fee, please read “Certain Relationship and Related Party Transactions — Omnibus Agreement — Reimbursement of Operating and General and Administrative Expense.”


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Withdrawal or removal of our general partner If our general partner withdraws or is removed, its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will either be sold to the new general partner for cash or converted into common units, in each case for an amount equal to the fair market value of those interests. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.”
 
Liquidation Stage
 
Liquidation Upon our liquidation, the partners, including our general partner, will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions according to their respective capital account balances.
 
Agreements Governing the Transactions
 
We and other parties have entered into or will enter into the various documents and agreements that will effect the offering transactions, including the vesting of assets in, and the assumption of liabilities by, us and our subsidiaries, and the application of the proceeds of this offering. These agreements will not be the result of arm’s-length negotiations, and they, or any of the transactions that they provide for, may not be effected on terms at least as favorable to the parties to these agreements as they could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. All of the transaction expenses incurred in connection with these transactions, including the expenses associated with transferring assets into our subsidiaries, will be paid from the proceeds of this offering.
 
Omnibus Agreement
 
Upon the closing of this offering, we will enter into an omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy, our general partner and others that will address the following matters:
 
  •  our obligation to reimburse Spectra Energy the payment of direct operating expenses, including salary and benefits of operating personnel and incremental expenses related to becoming a public entity, it incurs on our behalf in connection with our business and operations;
 
  •  our obligation to reimburse Spectra Energy for providing us allocated corporate general and administrative services, which reimbursement is capped at $3.0 million, subject to adjustment for inflation and increases in connection with expansions of our operations through the acquisition or construction of new assets or businesses with the concurrence of our conflicts committee;
 
  •  our obligation to reimburse Spectra Energy for insurance coverage expenses it incurs with respect to our business and operations and with respect to director and officer liability coverage;
 
  •  Spectra Energy’s obligation to indemnify us for certain liabilities and our obligation to indemnify Spectra Energy for certain liabilities; and
 
  •  Spectra Energy’s obligation to continue to maintain its credit support, including without limitation guarantees and letters of credit, for our obligations related to commercial contracts with respect to our business or operations that are in effect at the closing of this offering until the expiration of such contracts.
 
Our general partner and its affiliates will also receive payments from us pursuant to the contractual arrangements described below under the caption “— Contracts with Affiliates.”
 
Any or all of the provisions of the omnibus agreement, other than the indemnification provisions described below, will be terminable by Spectra Energy at its option if our general partner is removed without cause and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal. The omnibus agreement will also terminate in the event of a change of control of us, our general partner or the general partner of our general partner.


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Reimbursement of Operating and General and Administrative Expense
 
Under the omnibus agreement we will reimburse Spectra Energy for the payment of certain operating expenses and for the provision of various general and administrative services (a portion of which will be capped at $3.0 million annually) for our benefit with respect to the assets contributed to us at the closing of this offering. The omnibus agreement will further provide that we will reimburse Spectra Energy for our allocable portion of the premiums on insurance policies covering our assets.
 
Pursuant to these arrangements, Spectra Energy will perform centralized corporate functions for us, such as legal, accounting, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. We will reimburse Spectra Energy for the expenses to provide these services as well as other expenses it incurs on our behalf, such as salaries of operational personnel performing services for our benefit and the cost of their employee benefits, including 401(k), pension and health insurance benefits.
 
Competition
 
Neither Spectra Energy or any of its affiliates will be restricted, under either our partnership agreement or the omnibus agreement, from competing with us. Spectra Energy and any of its affiliates may acquire, construct or dispose of additional transportation and storage or other assets in the future without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or construct those assets.
 
Indemnification
 
Under the omnibus agreement, Spectra Energy will indemnify us for three years after the closing of this offering against certain potential environmental claims, losses and expenses associated with the operation of the assets and occurring before the closing date of this offering. The maximum liability of Spectra Energy for this indemnification obligation will not exceed $      million and Spectra Energy will not have any obligation under this indemnification until our aggregate losses exceed $     . Spectra Energy will have no indemnification obligations with respect to environmental claims made as a result of additions to or modifications of environmental laws promulgated after the closing date of this offering. We have agreed to indemnify Spectra Energy against environmental liabilities related to our assets to the extent Spectra Energy is not required to indemnify us.
 
Additionally, Spectra Energy will indemnify us for losses attributable to title defects, retained assets and liabilities (including preclosing litigation relating to contributed assets) and income taxes attributable to pre-closing operations. We will indemnify Spectra Energy for all losses attributable to the postclosing operations of the assets contributed to us, to the extent not subject to Spectra Energy’s indemnification obligations.
 
Contracts with Affiliates
 
Gulfstream Limited Liability Company Agreement
 
In connection with the closing of this offering, Spectra Energy will contribute to us 49.0% of its 50.0% interest in Gulfstream, at which time we will own a 24.5% interest in Gulfstream, Spectra Energy will own a 25.5% interest and The Williams Companies will own a 50.0% interest. Gulfstream’s second amended and restated limited liability company agreement governs the ownership and management of Gulfstream and provides for quarterly distributions equal to 100% of its available cash, which is defined to include Gulfstream’s cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter less any reserves that may be deemed appropriate by the Gulfstream management committee for the operation of its business (including reserves for its future maintenance capital expenditures and for its anticipated future credit needs) or for its compliance with law or other agreements.
 
The management committee representatives of Spectra Energy and The Williams Companies will jointly make the determinations related to Gulfstream’s available cash. In addition, because we will hold less than a 25% interest in Gulfstream, under the terms of the limited liability company agreement, Spectra


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Energy and The Williams Companies will be able to collectively make all decisions with respect to the operation of Gulfstream without our approval, other than those decisions relating to (1) a dissolution of Gulfstream, (2) Gulfstream’s entrance into bankruptcy proceedings, (3) Gulfstream’s conducting any activity or business that may generate income for federal income tax purposes that may not be “qualifying income” or (4) an amendment of Gulfstream’s limited liability company agreement or its certificate of formation.
 
Under the Gulfstream limited liability company agreement, each member’s interest is subject to transfer restrictions, including a right of first offer in favor of the other members except in the case of certain transfers to affiliates. Accordingly, if a member identifies a potential third-party purchaser for all or a portion of its interest, that member must first offer the other members the opportunity to acquire the interest that it proposes to sell on the same terms and conditions as proposed by such potential purchaser.
 
Market Hub General Partnership Agreement
 
In connection with the closing of this offering, Spectra Energy will contribute to us 50.0% of its interest in Market Hub, after which we will own a 50.0% interest in Market Hub and Spectra Energy will own a 50.0% interest. An amended and restated general partnership agreement governs the ownership and management of Market Hub and provides for quarterly distributions equal to 100% of its available cash, which is defined to include Market Hub’s cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter less any reserves that may be deemed appropriate by the Market Hub management committee for the operation of its business (including reserves for its future maintenance capital expenditures and for its anticipated future credit needs) or for its compliance with law or other agreements.
 
A management committee comprised of an equal number of representatives of Spectra Energy and us will jointly make the determinations related to Market Hub’s available cash.
 
Storage and Transportation Related Arrangements
 
We charge transportation and storage fees to Spectra Energy and its respective affiliates. Management anticipates continuing to provide these services to Spectra Energy and its respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
East Tennessee.   East Tennessee is a party under three pipeline balancing agreements with the following Spectra Energy affiliates: Texas Eastern Transmission (Texas Eastern), LP; Saltville Gas Storage, LLC (Saltville) and Spectra Energy Early Grove Company. Each agreement was entered into in accordance with East Tennessee FERC gas tariff and provides for the monthly balancing of natural gas at receipt and delivery points with affiliates interconnecting with East Tennessee’s pipeline system. In addition, East Tennessee has entered into an interruptible storage service agreement with Saltville and a firm storage service agreement with Spectra Energy Virginia Pipeline Company for the purpose of balancing the operations of East Tennessee.
 
Market Hub.   Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern Transmission, LP has entered into a variety of storage service agreements with Moss Bluff and Egan. At Egan, interruptible service agreements were made under a FERC approved gas tariff, using rates negotiated at arms-length between the parties. At Moss Bluff, interruptible and firm storage service agreements are subject to the Statement of Operating Conditions on file with FERC. Storage service agreements between Moss Bluff and Texas Eastern include rates negotiated at arms-length between the parties. In addition, each of Moss Bluff and Egan have entered into agreements with Texas Eastern as an interconnecting pipeline to provide for monthly gas balancing at receipt and delivery points between the parties.


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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES
 
Conflicts of Interest
 
Conflicts of interest exist and may arise in the future as a result of the relationships between our general partner and its affiliates (including Spectra Energy) on the one hand, and our partnership and our limited partners, on the other hand. The directors and officers of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC have fiduciary duties to manage Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC and our general partner in a manner beneficial to its owners. At the same time, our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage our partnership in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders.
 
Whenever a conflict arises between our general partner or its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or any other partner, on the other hand, our general partner will resolve that conflict. Our partnership agreement contains provisions that modify and limit our general partner’s fiduciary duties to our unitholders. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Our general partner will not be in breach of its obligations under the partnership agreement or its duties to us or our unitholders if the resolution of the conflict is:
 
  •  approved by the conflicts committee, although our general partner is not obligated to seek such approval;
 
  •  approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding any common units owned by our general partner or any of its affiliates;
 
  •  on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
 
  •  fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships among the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us.
 
Our general partner may, but is not required to, seek the approval of such resolution from the conflicts committee of the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC. If our general partner does not seek approval from the conflicts committee and the board of directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Unless the resolution of a conflict is specifically provided for in our partnership agreement, our general partner or the conflicts committee may consider any factors it determines in good faith to consider when resolving a conflict. When our partnership agreement provides that someone act in good faith, it requires that person to believe he is acting in the best interests of the partnership.
 
Conflicts of interest could arise in the situations described below, among others.
 
Spectra Energy and its affiliates, including DCP Midstream, LLC and DCP Midstream Partners, LP, are not limited in their ability to compete with us, which could cause conflicts of interest and limit our ability to acquire additional assets or businesses which in turn could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
Neither our partnership agreement nor the omnibus agreement between us, Spectra Energy and others will prohibit Spectra Energy and its affiliates, including DCP Midstream, LLC and DCP Midstream Partners, LP, from owning assets or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. In addition, Spectra Energy and its affiliates may acquire, construct or dispose of additional transportation, storage or other assets in the future, without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or construct any of those assets. Spectra Energy is a large, established participant in the transportation and


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storage business, and has significantly greater resources and experience than we have, which factors may make it more difficult for us to compete with Spectra Energy with respect to commercial activities as well as for acquisitions candidates. As a result, competition from Spectra Energy and its affiliates could adversely impact our results of operations and cash available for distribution.
 
Neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires Spectra Energy to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets or dictates what markets to pursue or grow. Spectra Energy’s directors have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of the owners of Spectra Energy, which may be contrary to our interests.
 
Because certain of the directors of our general partner are also directors and/or officers of Spectra Energy, such directors have fiduciary duties to Spectra Energy that may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Spectra Energy or which otherwise are not in our best interests.
 
Our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Spectra Energy, in resolving conflicts of interest.
 
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include the exercise of its right to make a determination to receive Class B units in exchange for resetting the target distribution levels related to its incentive distribution rights, its limited call right, its voting rights with respect to the units it owns, its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership.
 
We will not have any employees and will rely on the employees of our general partner and its affiliates.
 
All of our executive management personnel will be employees of our general partner and will devote all of their time to our business and affairs. We will also utilize a significant number of employees of Spectra Energy to operate our business and provide us with general and administrative services for which we will reimburse Spectra Energy for allocated expenses of operational personnel who perform services for our benefit and we will reimburse Spectra Energy for allocated general and administrative expenses. Affiliates of our general partner and Spectra Energy will also conduct businesses and activities of their own in which we will have no economic interest. If these separate activities are significantly greater than our activities, there could be material competition for the time and effort of the officers and employees who provide services to Spectra Energy and its affiliates.
 
Our partnership agreement limits our general partner’s fiduciary duties to holders of our common units and subordinated units and restricts the remedies available to holders of our common units and subordinated units for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the fiduciary standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty laws. For example, our partnership agreement:
 
  •  permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include the exercise of its limited call right, the exercise of its rights to transfer or vote the units it owns, the exercise of its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership or amendment to the partnership agreement;


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  •  provides that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith, meaning it believed the decision was in the best interests of our partnership;
 
  •  generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner acting in good faith and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or must be “fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by our general partner in good faith and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us;
 
  •  provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was criminal; and
 
  •  provides that in resolving conflicts of interest, it will be presumed that in making its decision the general partner acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or us, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
 
By purchasing a common unit, a common unitholder will agree to become bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. Please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties — Fiduciary Duties.”
 
Except in limited circumstances, our general partner has the power and authority to conduct our business without unitholder approval.
 
Under our partnership agreement, our general partner has full power and authority to do all things, other than those items that require unitholder approval or with respect to which our general partner has sought conflicts committee approval, on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct our business including, but not limited to, the following:
 
  •  the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into our securities, and the incurring of any other obligations;
 
  •  the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of our securities, or the issuance of additional options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our securities;
 
  •  the mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of our assets;
 
  •  the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments;
 
  •  the distribution of our cash;
 
  •  the selection and dismissal of employees and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
 
  •  the maintenance of insurance for our benefit and the benefit of our partners;
 
  •  the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, the contribution of property to, and the making of loans to, any limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships;


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  •  the control of any matters affecting our rights and obligations, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
 
  •  the indemnification of any person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
 
  •  the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over our business or assets; and
 
  •  the entering into of agreements with any of its affiliates to render services to us or to itself in the discharge of its duties as our general partner.
 
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner must act in “good faith” when making decisions on our behalf, and our partnership agreement further provides that in order for a determination by our general partner to be made in “good faith,” our general partner must believe that the determination is in our best interests. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Voting Rights” for information regarding matters that require unitholder approval.
 
Our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuance of additional partnership securities and the creation, reduction or increase of reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders.
 
The amount of cash that is available for distribution to unitholders is affected by decisions of our general partner regarding such matters as:
 
• amount and timing of asset purchases and sales;
 
  •  cash expenditures;
 
  •  borrowings;
 
  •  the issuance of additional units; and
 
  •  the creation, reduction or increase of reserves in any quarter.
 
In addition, our general partner may use an amount equal to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all of our units (including general partner units), which would not otherwise constitute available cash from operating surplus, in order to permit the payment of cash distributions on its units and incentive distribution rights. All of these actions may affect the amount of cash distributed to our unitholders and the general partner and may facilitate the conversion of subordinated units into common units. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.”
 
In addition, borrowings by us and our affiliates do not constitute a breach of any duty owed by the general partner to our unitholders, including borrowings that have the purpose or effect of:
 
  •  enabling our general partner or its affiliates to receive distributions on any subordinated units held by them or the incentive distribution rights; or
 
  •  hastening the expiration of the subordination period.
 
For example, in the event we have not generated sufficient cash from our operations to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units and our subordinated units, our partnership agreement permit us to borrow funds, which would enable us to make this distribution on all outstanding units. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Related to Cash Distributions — Subordination Period.”
 
Our partnership agreement provides that we and our subsidiaries may borrow funds from our general partner and its affiliates. Our general partner and its affiliates may not borrow funds from us, our operating company, or its operating subsidiaries.


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Our general partner determines which costs incurred by Spectra Energy are reimbursable by us.
 
We will reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for costs incurred in managing and operating us, including costs incurred in rendering corporate staff and support services to us. The partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in good faith.
 
Our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf.
 
Our partnership agreement allows our general partner to determine, in good faith, any amounts to pay itself or its affiliates for any services rendered to us. Our general partner may also enter into additional contractual arrangements with any of its affiliates on our behalf. Neither our partnership agreement nor any of the other agreements, contracts or arrangements between us, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, that will be in effect as of the closing of this offering will be the result of arm’s-length negotiations. Similarly, agreements, contracts or arrangements between us and our general partner and its affiliates that are entered into following the closing of this offering will not be required to be negotiated on an arm’s-length basis, although, in some circumstances, our general partner may determine that the conflicts committee of our general partner may make a determination on our behalf with respect to one or more of these types of situations.
 
Our general partner will determine, in good faith, the terms of any of these transactions entered into after the sale of the common units offered in this offering.
 
Our general partner and its affiliates will have no obligation to permit us to use any facilities or assets of our general partner or its affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into specifically dealing with that use. There is no obligation of our general partner or its affiliates to enter into any contracts of this kind.
 
Our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our obligations.
 
Our general partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements so that the other party has recourse only to our assets, and not against our general partner or its assets. The partnership agreement provides that any action taken by our general partner to limit its liability is not a breach of our general partner’s fiduciary duties, even if we could have obtained more favorable terms without the limitation on liability.
 
Our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase common units if it and its affiliates own more than 80% of the common units.
 
Our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase common units as provided in the partnership agreement or assign this right to one of its affiliates or to us. Our general partner is not bound by fiduciary duty restrictions in determining whether to exercise this right. As a result, a common unitholder may have his common units purchased from him at an undesirable time or price. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Limited Call Right.”
 
Common unitholders will have no right to enforce obligations of our general partner and its affiliates under agreements with us.
 
Any agreements between us on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other, will not grant to the unitholders, separate and apart from us, the right to enforce the obligations of our general partner and its affiliates in our favor.


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Our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.
 
The attorneys, independent accountants and others who have performed services for us regarding this offering have been retained by our general partner. Attorneys, independent accountants and others who perform services for us are selected by our general partner or the conflicts committee and may perform services for our general partner and its affiliates. We may retain separate counsel for ourselves or the holders of common units in the event of a conflict of interest between our general partner and its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or the holders of common units, on the other, depending on the nature of the conflict. We do not intend to do so in most cases.
 
Our general partner may elect to cause us to issue Class B units to it in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to our general partner’s incentive distribution rights without the approval of the conflicts committee of our general partner or our unitholders. This may result in lower distributions to our common unitholders in certain situations.
 
Our general partner has the right, at a time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, to reset the initial cash target distribution levels at higher levels based on the distribution at the time of the exercise of the reset election. Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per common unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to correspondingly higher levels based on percentage increases above the reset minimum quarterly distribution amount. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit without such conversion; however, it is possible that our general partner could exercise this reset election at a time when we are experiencing declines in our aggregate cash distributions or at a time when our general partner expects that we will experience declines in our aggregate cash distributions in the foreseeable future. In such situations, our general partner may be experiencing, or may be expected to experience, declines in the cash distributions it receives related to its incentive distribution rights and may therefore desire to be issued our Class B units, which are entitled to specified priorities with respect to our distributions and which therefore may be more advantageous for the general partner to own in lieu of the right to receive incentive distribution payments based on target distribution levels that are less certain to be achieved in the then current business environment. As a result, a reset election may cause our common unitholders to experience dilution in the amount of cash distributions that they would have otherwise received had we not issued new Class B units to our general partner in connection with resetting the target distribution levels related to our general partner incentive distribution rights. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Related to Cash Distributions — General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights.”
 
Fiduciary Duties
 
Our general partner is accountable to us and our unitholders as a fiduciary. Fiduciary duties owed to unitholders by our general partner are prescribed by law and the partnership agreement. The Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Delaware Act, provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, modify, restrict or expand the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by a general partner to limited partners and the partnership.
 
Our partnership agreement contains various provisions modifying and restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner. We have adopted these restrictions to allow our general partner or its affiliates to engage in transactions with us that would otherwise be prohibited by state-law fiduciary duty standards and to take into account the interests of other parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. We believe this is appropriate and necessary because our general partner’s board of directors will have fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner


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beneficial to its owners, as well as to you. Without these modifications, the general partner’s ability to make decisions involving conflicts of interest would be restricted. The modifications to the fiduciary standards enable the general partner to take into consideration all parties involved in the proposed action, so long as the resolution is fair and reasonable to us. These modifications also enable our general partner to attract and retain experienced and capable directors. These modifications are detrimental to our common unitholders because they restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below, and permit our general partner to take into account the interests of third parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. The following is a summary of the material restrictions of the fiduciary duties owed by our general partner to the limited partners:
 
State-law fiduciary duty standards Fiduciary duties are generally considered to include an obligation to act in good faith and with due care and loyalty. The duty of care, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner to act for the partnership in the same manner as a prudent person would act on his own behalf. The duty of loyalty, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally prohibit a general partner of a Delaware limited partnership from taking any action or engaging in any transaction where a conflict of interest is present.
 
The Delaware Act generally provides that a limited partner may institute legal action on behalf of the partnership to recover damages from a third party where a general partner has refused to institute the action or where an effort to cause a general partner to do so is not likely to succeed. In addition, the statutory or case law of some jurisdictions may permit a limited partner to institute legal action on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated limited partners to recover damages from a general partner for violations of its fiduciary duties to the limited partners.
 
Partnership agreement modified standards Our partnership agreement contains provisions that waive or consent to conduct by our general partner and its affiliates that might otherwise raise issues about compliance with fiduciary duties or applicable law. For example, our partnership agreement provides that when our general partner is acting in its capacity as our general partner, as opposed to in its individual capacity, it must act in “good faith” and will not be subject to any other standard under applicable law. In addition, when our general partner is acting in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, it may act without any fiduciary obligation to us or the unitholders whatsoever. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
 
In addition to the other more specific provisions limiting the obligations of our general partner, our partnership agreement further provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for errors of judgment or for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the general partner or its officers and directors acted in bad faith or engaged in


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fraud or willful misconduct or in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.
 
Special provisions regarding affiliated transactions.   Our partnership agreement generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not involving a vote of unitholders and that are not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner must be:
 
• on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
 
• “fair and reasonable” to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us).
 
If our general partner does not seek approval from the conflicts committee and its board of directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors, which may include board members affected by the conflict of interest, acted in good faith and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
 
By purchasing our common units, each common unitholder automatically agrees to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. This is in accordance with the policy of the Delaware Act favoring the principle of freedom of contract and the enforceability of partnership agreements. The failure of a limited partner or assignee to sign a partnership agreement does not render the partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.
 
We must indemnify our general partner and its officers, directors, managers and certain other specified persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by our general partner or these other persons. We must provide this indemnification unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that these persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct. We must also provide this indemnification for criminal proceedings unless our general partner or these other persons acted with knowledge that their conduct was unlawful. Thus, our general partner could be indemnified for its negligent acts if it meets the requirements set forth above. To the extent these provisions purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and, therefore, unenforceable. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Indemnification.”


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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS
 
The Units
 
The common units and the subordinated units are separate classes of limited partner interests in us. The holders of units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
Duties.   American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will serve as registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We will pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units except the following that must be paid by unitholders:
 
  •  surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental charges;
 
  •  special charges for services requested by a common unitholder; and
 
  •  other similar fees or charges.
 
There will be no charge to unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
 
Resignation or Removal.   The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.
 
Transfer of Common Units
 
The transfer of the common units to persons that purchase directly from the underwriters will be accomplished through the proper completion, execution and delivery of a transfer application by the investor. Any later transfers of a common unit will not be recorded by the transfer agent or recognized by us unless the transferee executes and delivers a properly completed transfer application. By executing and delivering a transfer application, the transferee of common units:
 
  •  becomes the record holder of the common units and is an assignee until admitted into our partnership as a substituted limited partner;
 
  •  automatically requests admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership;
 
  •  executes and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement;
 
  •  represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into our partnership agreement;
 
  •  grants powers of attorney to the officers of our general partner and any liquidator of us as specified in our partnership agreement;
 
  •  gives the consents, covenants, representations and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements we are entering into in connection with our formation and this offering; and


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  •  certifies:
 
  that the transferee is an individual or is an entity subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us; or
 
  that, if the transferee is an entity not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us, as in the case, for example, of a mutual fund taxed as a regulated investment company or a partnership, all the entity’s owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us.
 
An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any unrecorded transfers for which a properly completed and duly executed transfer application has been received to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.
 
A transferee’s broker, agent or nominee may, but is not obligated to, complete, execute and deliver a transfer application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
 
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units. A purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a properly completed transfer application obtains only:
 
  •  the right to assign the common unit to a purchaser or other transferee; and
 
  •  the right to transfer the right to seek admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.
 
Thus, a purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a properly completed transfer application:
 
  •  will not receive cash distributions;
 
  •  will not be allocated any of our income, gain, deduction, losses or credits for federal income tax or other tax purposes;
 
  •  may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units; and
 
  •  will have no voting rights;
 
unless the common units are held in a nominee or “street name” account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application and certification as to itself and any beneficial holders.
 
The transferor of common units has a duty to provide the transferee with all information that may be necessary to transfer the common units. The transferor does not have a duty to ensure the execution of the transfer application by the transferee and has no liability or responsibility if the transferee neglects or chooses not to execute and deliver a properly completed transfer application to the transfer agent. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Status as Limited Partner or Assignee.”
 
Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.


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THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
 
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The form of our partnership agreement is included in this prospectus as Appendix A. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of our partnership agreement upon request at no charge.
 
We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:
 
  •  with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions”;
 
  •  with regard to the fiduciary duties of our general partner, please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties”;
 
  •  with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of the Common Units — Transfer of Common Units”; and
 
  •  with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material Tax Consequences.”
 
Organization and Duration
 
Our partnership was organized March 19, 2007 and will have a perpetual existence.
 
Purpose
 
Our purpose under the partnership agreement is limited to any business activity that is approved by our general partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided, that our general partner shall not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.
 
Although our general partner has the ability to cause us and our subsidiaries to engage in activities other than the business of transporting and storing natural gas, our general partner has no current plans to do so and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
 
Power of Attorney
 
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder, by accepting the common unit, automatically grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to amend, and to make consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.
 
Cash Distributions
 
Our partnership agreement specifies the manner in which we will make cash distributions to holders of our common units and other partnership securities as well as to our general partner in respect of its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights. For a description of these cash distribution provisions, please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.”
 
Capital Contributions
 
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “— Limited Liability.”


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For a discussion of our general partner’s right to contribute capital to maintains its 2% general partner interest if we issue additional units, please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.”
 
Voting Rights
 
The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for the matters specified below. Matters requiring the approval of a “unit majority” require:
 
  •  during the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding those common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and a majority of the subordinated units, voting as separate classes; and
 
  •  after the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the common units and Class B units, if any, voting as a single class.
 
In voting their common, Class B and subordinated units, our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners.
 
     
Issuance of additional units
  No approval right.
Amendment of the partnership agreement
  Certain amendments may be made by the general partner without the approval of the unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “— Amendment of the Partnership Agreement.”
Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets
  Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “— Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.”
Dissolution of our partnership
  Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Continuation of our business upon dissolution
  Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Withdrawal of the general partner
  Under most circumstances, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to June 30, 2017 in a manner that would cause a dissolution of our partnership. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.”
Removal of the general partner
  Not less than 66 2 / 3 % of the outstanding units, voting as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.”
Transfer of the general partner interest
  Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, such person. The approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to June 30, 2017. See “— Transfer of General Partner Units.”


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Transfer of incentive distribution rights
  Our general partner may transfer any or all of the incentive distribution rights without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or another person as part of our general partner’s merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or the sale of all of the ownership interests in such holder to, such person. The approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the incentive distribution rights to a third party prior to June 30, 2017. Please read “— Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner
  No approval required at any time. Please read “— Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner.”
 
Limited Liability
 
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of the partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us for his common units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:
 
  •  to remove or replace the general partner;
 
  •  to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement; or
 
  •  to take other action under the partnership agreement;
 
constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as the general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither the partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against the general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of the general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.
 
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of his assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except that such person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.
 
Our subsidiaries conduct business in nine states and we may have subsidiaries that conduct business in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as a limited partner of the operating

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partnership may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which the operating partnership conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.
 
Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partner have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our partnership interest in our operating partnership or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace the general partner, to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement, or to take other action under the partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as the general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that the general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.
 
Issuance of Additional Securities
 
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders.
 
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
 
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit the issuance by our subsidiaries of equity securities, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.
 
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities (other than the issuance of common units upon exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common units, the issuance of Class B units in connection with a reset of the incentive distribution target levels or the issuance of partnership securities upon conversion of outstanding partnership securities), our general partner will be entitled, but not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s 2% interest in us will be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the percentage interest of the general partner and its affiliates, including such interest represented by common units and subordinated units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.
 
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement
 
General.   Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner is required to seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a


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meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
 
Prohibited Amendments.   No amendment may be made that would:
 
  •  enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or
 
  •  enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.
 
The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in any of the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates). Upon completion of the offering, our general partner and its affiliates will own approximately 84.3% of the outstanding common and subordinated units.
 
No Unitholder Approval.   Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner to reflect:
 
  •  a change in our name, the location of our principal place of our business, our registered agent or our registered office;
 
  •  the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;
 
  •  a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we nor the operating partnership nor any of its subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;
 
  •  an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;
 
  •  an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the authorization of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership securities, including any amendment that our general partner determines is necessary or appropriate in connection with:
 
  •  the adjustments of the minimum quarterly distribution, first target distribution, second target distribution and third target distribution in connection with the reset of our general partner’s incentive distribution rights as described under “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions — General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels”; or
 
  •  the implementation of the provisions relating to our general partner’s right to reset its incentive distribution rights in exchange for Class B units; and
 
  •  any modification of the incentive distribution rights made in connection with the issuance of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership securities, provided that, any such modifications and related issuance of partnership securities have received approval by a majority of the members of the conflicts committee of our general partner;
 
  •  any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;


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  •  an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;
 
  •  any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;
 
  •  a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes;
 
  •  conversions into, mergers with or conveyances to another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives by way of the conversion, merger or conveyance; or
 
  •  any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above.
 
In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner if our general partner determines that those amendments:
 
  •  do not adversely affect in any material respect the limited partners considered as a whole or any particular class of limited partners;
 
  •  are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;
 
  •  are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading;
 
  •  are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or
 
  •  are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.
 
Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval.   For amendments of the type not requiring unitholder approval, our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments. No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.
 
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action is required to be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
 
Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
 
A merger, consolidation or conversion of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or the limited partners.
 
In addition, the partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by


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way of merger, consolidation or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to the partnership agreement, each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction, and the partnership securities to be issued do not exceed 20% of our outstanding partnership securities immediately prior to the transaction.
 
If the conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, and the governing instruments of the new entity provide the limited partners and the general partner with the same rights and obligations as contained in the partnership agreement. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under the partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other similar transaction or event.
 
Termination and Dissolution
 
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:
 
  •  the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;
 
  •  there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with applicable Delaware law;
 
  •  the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or
 
  •  the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following approval and admission of a successor.
 
Upon a dissolution under the last clause above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement by appointing as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
 
  •  the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and
 
  •  neither our partnership, our operating partnership nor any of our other subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue.
 
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
 
Upon our dissolution, unless we are continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate to liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as described in “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions — Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.


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Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner
 
Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to June 30, 2017 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after June 30, 2017, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to the limited partners if at least 50% of the outstanding common units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than the general partner and its affiliates. In addition, the partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Units” and “— Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
 
Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority, voting as separate classes, may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
 
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 2 / 3 % of the outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units and Class B units, if any, voting as a separate class, and subordinated units, voting as a separate class. The ownership of more than 33 1 / 3 % of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal. At the closing of this offering, our general partner and its affiliates will own 84.3% of the outstanding common and subordinated units.
 
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by the general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:
 
  •  the subordination period will end, and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;
 
  •  any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and
 
  •  our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of those interests at that time.
 
In the event of removal of a general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of a general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where a general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will


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determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.
 
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
 
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
 
Transfer of General Partner Units
 
Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner units to:
 
  •  an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual); or
 
  •  another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to another entity,
 
our general partner may not transfer all or any of its general partner units to another person prior to June 30, 2017 without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must assume, among other things, the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement, and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
 
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time, transfer units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval, except that they may not transfer subordinated units to us.
 
Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner
 
At any time, Spectra Energy and its affiliates may sell or transfer all or part of their partnership interests in our general partner, or their membership interest in Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, the general partner of our general partner, to an affiliate or third party without the approval of our unitholders.
 
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
 
Our general partner or its affiliates or a subsequent holder may transfer its incentive distribution rights to an affiliate of the holder (other than an individual) or another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of such holder with or into another entity, the sale of all of the ownership interest in the holder or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, that entity without the prior approval of the unitholders. Prior to June 30, 2017, other transfers of incentive distribution rights will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. On or after June 30, 2017, the incentive distribution rights will be freely transferable.
 
Change of Management Provisions
 
Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP as our general partner or otherwise change our management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units


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from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.
 
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:
 
  •  the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;
 
  •  any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and
 
  •  our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner units and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of those interests at that time.
 
Limited Call Right
 
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the limited partner interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10 but not more than 60 days notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:
 
  •  the highest cash price paid by either of our general partner or any of its affiliates for any limited partner interests of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and
 
  •  the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.
 
As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding limited partner interests, a holder of limited partner interests may have his limited partner interests purchased at a price that may be lower than market prices at various times prior to such purchase or lower than a unitholder may anticipate the market price to be in the future. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units.”
 
Non-Taxpaying Assignees; Redemption
 
To avoid any adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by our subsidiaries that are regulated interstate natural gas pipelines, or in order to reverse an adverse determination that has occurred regarding such maximum rate, transferees (including purchasers from the underwriters in this offering) are required to fill out a properly completed transfer application certifying, and our general partner, acting on our behalf, may at any time require each unitholder to re-certify:
 
  •  that the transferee or unitholder is an individual or an entity subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us; or
 
  •  that, if the transferee unitholder is an entity not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us, as in the case, for example, of a mutual fund taxed as a regulated investment company or a partnership, all the entity’s owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us.
 
This certification can be changed in any manner our general partner determines is necessary or appropriate to implement its original purpose.


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If a unitholder fails to furnish:
 
  •  a transfer application containing the required certification;
 
  •  a re-certification containing the required certification within 30 days after request; or
 
  •  provides a false certification; then
 
we will have the right, which we may assign to any of our affiliates, to acquire all but not less than all of the units held by such unitholder. Further, the units will not be entitled to any allocations of income or loss, distributions or voting rights while held by such unitholder.
 
The purchase price in the event of such an acquisition for each unit held by such unitholder will be the lesser of:
 
(1) the price paid by such unitholder for the relevant unit; and
 
(2) the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.
 
The purchase price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner. Any such promissory note will bear interest at the rate of 5% annually and be payable in three equal annual installments of principal and accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.
 
Meetings; Voting
 
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited.
 
Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of unitholders will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called represented in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.
 
Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise. Except as our partnership agreement otherwise provides, subordinated units will vote together with common units and Class B units as a single class.
 
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.


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Status as Limited Partner
 
By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Except as described under “— Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.
 
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
 
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of any limited partner, we may redeem the units held by the limited partner at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is not an eligible citizen, the limited partner may be treated as a non-citizen assignee. A non-citizen assignee is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in-kind upon our liquidation.
 
Indemnification
 
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:
 
  •  our general partner;
 
  •  any departing general partner;
 
  •  any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner;
 
  •  any person who is or was a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points;
 
  •  any person who is or was serving as director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner; and
 
  •  any person designated by our general partner.
 
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or lend funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
 
Reimbursement of Expenses
 
Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. The general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.


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Books and Reports
 
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For tax and fiscal reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
 
We will furnish or make available to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
 
We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.
 
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
 
Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:
 
  •  a current list of the name and last known address of each partner;
 
  •  a copy of our tax returns;
 
  •  information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each partner became a partner;
 
  •  copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, related amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;
 
  •  information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and
 
  •  any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.
 
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners, trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.
 
Registration Rights
 
Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP as general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and a structuring fee. Please read “Units Eligible for Future Sale.”


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UNITS ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
After the sale of the common units offered hereby and assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional units, management of our general partner and Spectra Energy and its affiliates will hold an aggregate of 32,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units. The sale of these units could have an adverse impact on the price of the common units or on any trading market that may develop.
 
The common units sold in the offering will generally be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any common units owned by an “affiliate” of ours may not be resold publicly except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption under Rule 144 or otherwise. Rule 144 permits securities acquired by an affiliate of the issuer to be sold into the market in an amount that does not exceed, during any three-month period, the greater of:
 
  •  1% of the total number of the securities outstanding; or
 
  •  the average weekly reported trading volume of the common units for the four calendar weeks prior to the sale.
 
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to specific manner of sale provisions, holding period requirements, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. A person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned his common units for at least two years, would be entitled to sell common units under Rule 144 without regard to the public information requirements, volume limitations, manner of sale provisions and notice requirements of Rule 144.
 
The partnership agreement does not restrict our ability to issue any partnership securities at any time. Any issuance of additional common units or other equity securities would result in a corresponding decrease in the proportionate ownership interest in us represented by, and could adversely affect the cash distributions to and market price of, common units then outstanding. Please read “The Partnership Agreement — Issuance of Additional Securities.”
 
Under our partnership agreement, our general partner and its affiliates have the right to cause us to register under the Securities Act and state securities laws the offer and sale of any common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities that they hold. Subject to the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement, these registration rights allow our general partner and its affiliates or their assignees holding any units or other partnership securities to require registration of any of these units or other partnership securities and to include them in a registration by us of other units, including units offered by us or by any unitholder. Our general partner will continue to have these registration rights for two years following its withdrawal or removal as our general partner. In connection with any registration of this kind, we will indemnify each unitholder participating in the registration and its officers, directors and controlling persons from and against any liabilities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws arising from the registration statement or prospectus. We will bear all costs and expenses incidental to any registration, excluding any underwriting discounts and a structuring fee. Except as described below, our general partner and its affiliates may sell their units or other partnership interests in private transactions at any time, subject to compliance with applicable laws.
 
Spectra Energy, our partnership, our operating company, our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner, have agreed not to sell any common units they beneficially own for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus. For a description of these lock-up provisions, please read “Underwriting.”


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MATERIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
This section is a summary of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to our general partner and us, as to all material tax matters and all legal conclusions insofar as it relates to matters of United States federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect to those matters. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing and proposed regulations and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to Spectra Energy Partners, LP and our operating company.
 
The following discussion does not comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, nonresident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult, and depend on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units.
 
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and are, to the extent noted herein, based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.
 
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
 
For the reasons described below, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (1) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales”); (2) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (3) whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election”).
 
Partnership Status
 
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest.


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Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, storage, processing and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 1% of our gross current income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and the general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income.
 
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to our status for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. on such matters. It is the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below, we will be classified as a partnership and the operating company will be disregarded as an entity separate from us for federal income tax purposes.
 
In rendering its opinion, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied on factual representations made by us and the general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied are:
 
(a) Neither we nor the operating company will elect to be treated as a corporation; and
 
(b) For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income will be income that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
 
If we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as either taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
 
The discussion below is based on Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
 
Limited Partner Status
 
Unitholders who have become limited partners of Spectra Energy Partners, LP will be treated as partners of Spectra Energy Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common


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units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of Spectra Energy Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.
 
A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales.”
 
Income, gain, deductions or losses would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their tax consequences of holding common units in Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
 
The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in Spectra Energy Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.
 
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
 
Flow-Through of Taxable Income.   We will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether corresponding cash distributions are received by him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
 
Treatment of Distributions.   Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “— Disposition of Common Units.” Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “— Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”
 
A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, he will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
 
Ratio of Taxable Income to Distributions.   We estimate that a purchaser of common units in this offering who owns those common units from the date of closing of this offering through the record date for distributions for the period ending December 31, 2010, will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income for that period that will be 20% or less of the cash distributed with respect to that period. Thereafter, we anticipate that the ratio of allocable taxable income to cash distributions to the unitholders will increase. These estimates are based upon the assumption that gross income from operations will approximate the amount required to make the minimum quarterly distribution on all units and other


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assumptions with respect to capital expenditures, cash flow, net working capital and anticipated cash distributions. These estimates and assumptions are subject to, among other things, numerous business, economic, regulatory, competitive and political uncertainties beyond our control. Further, the estimates are based on current tax law and tax reporting positions that we will adopt and with which the IRS could disagree. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that these estimates will prove to be correct. The actual percentage of distributions that will constitute taxable income could be higher or lower than expected, and any differences could be material and could materially affect the value of the common units. For example, the ratio of allocable taxable income to cash distributions to a purchaser of common units in this offering will be greater, and perhaps substantially greater, than our estimate with respect to the period described above if:
 
  •  gross income from operations exceeds the amount required to make the minimum quarterly distribution on all units, yet we only distribute the minimum quarterly distribution on all units; or
 
  •  we make a future offering of common units and use the proceeds of the offering in a manner that does not produce substantial additional deductions during the period described above, such as to repay indebtedness outstanding at the time of this offering or to acquire property that is not eligible for depreciation or amortization for federal income tax purposes or that is depreciable or amortizable at a rate significantly slower than the rate applicable to our assets at the time of this offering.
 
Basis of Common Units.   A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.   The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations, to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A unitholder must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable to the extent that his tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess loss above that gain previously suspended by the at risk or basis limitations is no longer utilizable.
 
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
 
The passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with


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respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive activity loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk rules and the basis limitation.
 
A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
 
Limitations on Interest Deductions.   The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:
 
  •  interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;
 
  •  our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and
 
  •  the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.
 
The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. The IRS has indicated that net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.
 
Entity-Level Collections.   If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under the partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
 
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.   In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to our general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss for the entire year, that loss will be allocated first to our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to our general partner.
 
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for the difference between the tax basis and fair market value of property contributed to us by our general partner and its affiliates, referred to in this discussion as “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations to a


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unitholder purchasing common units in this offering will be essentially the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the time of this offering. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in such amount and manner as is needed to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
 
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:
 
  •  his relative contributions to us;
 
  •  the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;
 
  •  the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and
 
  •  the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.
 
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
 
Treatment of Short Sales.   A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
 
  •  any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;
 
  •  any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and
 
  •  all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income.
 
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder where common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from loaning their units. The IRS has announced that it is actively studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
Alternative Minimum Tax.   Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. The current minimum tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.


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Tax Rates.   In general, the highest effective United States federal income tax rate for individuals is currently 35.0% and the maximum United States federal income tax rate for net capital gains of an individual is currently 15.0% if the asset disposed of was held for more than twelve months at the time of disposition.
 
Section 754 Election.   We will make the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election will generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
 
Where the remedial allocation method is adopted (which we will adopt as to property other than certain goodwill properties), the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the Section 704(c) built-in gain. If we elect a method other than the remedial method with respect to a goodwill property, Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3) generally requires that the Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to an amortizable Section 197 intangible, which includes goodwill property, should be treated as a newly-acquired asset placed in service in the month when the purchaser acquires the common unit. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. If we elect a method other than the remedial method, the depreciation and amortization methods and useful lives associated with the Section 743(b) adjustment, therefore, may differ from the methods and useful lives generally used to depreciate the inside basis in such properties. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. If we elect a method other than the remedial method with respect to a goodwill property, the common basis of such property is not amortizable. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.”
 
Although Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of this approach because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue, we intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the common basis of the property, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets, and Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3). To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.” The IRS


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may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
 
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation and depletion deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built–in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally a built–in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
 
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
 
Tax Treatment of Operations
 
Accounting Method and Taxable Year.   We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”
 
Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization.   The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to this offering will be borne by our general partner. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”
 
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets are placed in service. Because our general partner may determine not to adopt the remedial method of allocation with respect to any difference between the tax basis and the fair market value of goodwill immediately prior to this or any future offering, we may not be entitled to any amortization deductions with respect to any goodwill conveyed to us on formation or held by us at the time of any future offering. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.


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If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
The costs we incur in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
 
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties.   The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
 
Disposition of Common Units
 
Recognition of Gain or Loss.   Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
 
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit that decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.
 
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held more than twelve months will generally be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. However, a portion of this gain or loss will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Net capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.
 
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in


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the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the regulations, may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the regulations.
 
Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
 
  •  a short sale;
 
  •  an offsetting notional principal contract; or
 
  •  a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
 
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.
 
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.   In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
 
The use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Accordingly, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferee and transferor unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferee and transferor unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
 
A unitholder who owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
 
Notification Requirements.   A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and


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transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
 
Constructive Termination.   We will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination.
 
Uniformity of Units
 
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.”
 
We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the common basis of that property, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets, and Treasury Regulations Section 1.197-2(g)(3). Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our property. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”


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Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
 
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them.
 
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them.
 
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we will withhold at the highest applicable effective tax rate from cash distributions made quarterly to foreign unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.
 
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the United States branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” which are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
Under a ruling of the IRS, a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent that this gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Because a foreign unitholder is considered to be engaged in business in the United States by virtue of the ownership of units, under this ruling a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit generally will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or disposition of units. Apart from the ruling, a foreign unitholder will not be taxed or subject to withholding upon the sale or disposition of a unit if he has owned less than 5% in value of the units during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and if the units are regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the sale or disposition.
 
Administrative Matters
 
Information Returns and Audit Procedures.   We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will in all cases yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.
 
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of


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his return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
 
Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names our General Partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
 
The Tax Matters Partner will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.
 
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.
 
Nominee Reporting.   Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
 
(a) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;
 
(b) whether the beneficial owner is:
 
1. a person that is not a United States person;
 
2. a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or
 
3. a tax-exempt entity;
 
(c) the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and
 
(d) specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales.
 
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are United States persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.
 
Accuracy-Related Penalties.   An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.
 
For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable


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year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
 
(1) for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or
 
(2) as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return.
 
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us.
 
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 200% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 400% or more than the correct valuation, the penalty imposed increases to 40%.
 
Reportable Transactions.   If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or that it produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “— Information Returns and Audit Procedures.”
 
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004:
 
  •  accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described above at “— Accuracy Related Penalties,”
 
  •  for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability and
 
  •  in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations.
 
We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”
 
State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations
 
In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. We will initially own property or conduct business in the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Each of these states other than Texas and Florida currently imposes a personal income tax on individuals. A majority of these states impose an income tax on corporations and other entities. We may also own property or conduct business in other jurisdictions that impose an income tax in the future. Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from the jurisdictions falls below the filing and payment requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of these jurisdictions in which we do business or own property


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and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Entity-Level Collections”. Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, the general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
 
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult, and depend upon, his tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well as United States federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.


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SELLING UNITHOLDER
 
If the underwriters exercise all or any portion of their option to purchase additional common units, we will issue up to 1,500,000 additional common units, and we will redeem an equal number of units from our general partner, which will be deemed to be a selling unitholder and an underwriter in this offering. The redemption price per common unit will be equal to the price per common unit (net of underwriting discounts and a structuring fee) sold to the underwriters upon exercise of their option.
 
The following table sets forth information concerning the ownership of common units by our general partner. The numbers in the table are presented assuming:
 
  •  the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units is not exercised; and
 
  •  the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional units in full.
 
                                 
          Units Owned Immediately
 
    Units Owned
    After Exercise of
 
    Immediately After
    Underwriters’ Option and
 
    This Offering     Related Unit Redemption  
    Assuming
          Assuming
       
    Underwriters’
          Underwriters’
       
    Option is Not
          Option is Exercised
       
Name of Selling Unitholder
  Exercised     Percent(1)     in Full     Percent(1)  
 
Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
    1,500,000       2.3 %     0        
 
 
(1) Percentage of total units outstanding, including common units, subordinated units and general partner units.


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INVESTMENT IN SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. For these purposes the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or IRAs established or maintained by an employer or employee organization. Among other things, consideration should be given to:
 
  •  whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA;
 
  •  whether in making the investment, that plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA; and
 
  •  whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors”.
 
The person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, often called a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the plan.
 
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibit employee benefit plans, and also IRAs that are not considered part of an employee benefit plan, from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the plan.
 
In addition to considering whether the purchase of common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
The Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under some circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s assets would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:
 
(a) the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly offered securities  — i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, freely transferable and registered under some provisions of the federal securities laws;
 
(b) the entity is an “operating company,”  — i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or
 
(c) there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest is held by the employee benefit plans referred to above, IRAs and other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA, including governmental plans.
 
Our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in (a) above.
 
Plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.


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UNDERWRITING
 
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. are acting as joint bookrunning managers of the offering and representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of common units set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
 
         
    Number of
 
    Common Units  
 
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 
       
Lehman Brothers Inc. 
       
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
       
UBS Securities LLC
       
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
       
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. 
       
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. 
       
         
Total
    10,000,000  
         
 
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the common units included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the common units (other than those covered by their option to purchase additional common units described below) if they purchase any of the units.
 
The underwriters propose to offer some of the common units directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of the prospectus and some of the units to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $       per unit. If all of the units are not sold at the initial offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and the other selling terms. The representatives have advised us that the underwriters do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of our units offered by them.
 
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional units approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.
 
We, our general partner, all of the officers and directors of our general partner and Spectra Energy and certain of its affiliates have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of the representatives, dispose of or hedge any of our common units or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
 
The representatives, in their sole discretion, may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. The representatives have no present intent or arrangement to release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements. The release of any lock-up is considered on a case by case basis. Factors in deciding whether to release common units may include the length of time before the lock-up expires, the number of units involved, the reason for the requested release, market conditions, the trading price of our common units, historical trading volumes of our common units and whether the person seeking the release is an officer, director or affiliate of us.


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At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 5% of the common units for sale at the initial offering price to persons who are directors, officers and employees of our general partner, or who are otherwise associated with us through a directed unit program. The number of common units available for sale to the general public will be reduced by the number of directed units purchased by participants in the program. Any directed units not purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as all other common units offered. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities and expenses, including liabilities under the Securities Act, in connection with the sales of the directed units. The common units reserved for sale under the directed unit program will be subject to a lock-up agreement for up to 180 days following this offering.
 
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common units. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the units will be determined by negotiations between our general partner and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price will be our record of operations, our current financial condition, our future prospects, our markets, the economic conditions in and future prospects for the industry in which we compete, our management, and currently prevailing general conditions in the equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded partnerships considered comparable to our partnership. We cannot assure you, however, that the prices at which the units will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our common units will develop and continue after this offering.
 
We have applied to list our common units listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEP.”
 
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units.
 
                 
    No Exercise     Full Exercise  
 
Per Unit
  $           $        
Total
  $       $  
 
In addition, we will pay a structuring fee equal to an aggregate of 0.25% of the gross proceeds from this offering, or approximately $500,000 ($575,000 in the event the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common units in full), to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. for evaluation, analysis and structuring of our partnership.
 
We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and structuring fees, will be approximately $6 million. The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for a portion of these expenses in an amount of up to 0.25% of the gross proceeds of this offering (including any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units).
 
In no event will the maximum amount of compensation to be paid to NASD members in connection with this offering exceed 10% of the gross proceeds (plus 0.5% for bona fide, accountable due diligence expenses).
 
Our partnership agreement requires that all common unitholders be Eligible Holders. Eligible Holders are individuals or entities subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us or entities not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us, so long as all of the entity’s beneficial owners are subject to such taxation. Accordingly, all potential investors who are not individuals must have completed and returned the Certification Form for Non-individual Investors attached as Appendix C to this prospectus to the underwriter with whom they placed an order by the date indicated on the form in order to be allocated common units in this offering. As all individuals are Eligible Holders, they were not required to complete and return a Certification Form for Non-individual Investors.
 
In connection with the offering, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell common units in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common units in excess of the number of units to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate


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short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of units made in an amount up to the number of units represented by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units. In determining the source of units to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through their option to purchase additional common units. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of the common units in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of their option to purchase additional common units. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of units in excess of their option to purchase additional common units. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing common units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of units in the open market while the offering is in progress.
 
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when an underwriter repurchases units originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.
 
Any of these activities, as well as purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the units. They may also cause the price of the units to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on The New York Stock Exchange or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
 
The underwriters have performed from time to time and are performing investment banking and advisory services for us and Spectra Energy and its predecessor and affiliates for which they have received and will receive customary fees and expenses. In addition, the underwriters may, from time to time, engage in other transactions with and perform services for Spectra Energy or us in the ordinary course of their business. Affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, UBS Securities LLC and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC are lenders under our new credit facility.
 
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by one or more of the underwriters. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of units to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate units to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, units may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell units to online brokerage account holders.
 
Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an underwriter is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as an underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.
 
We and our general partner have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
 
Because the National Association of Securities Dealers views the units offered by this prospectus as interests in a direct participation program, the offering is being made in compliance with Rule 2810 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules. Investor suitability with respect to the units should be judged similarly to the suitability with respect to other securities that are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.


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VALIDITY OF THE COMMON UNITS
 
The validity of the common units will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas and for the underwriters by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas.
 
EXPERTS
 
The combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, included in this prospectus and the related financial statement schedules included elsewhere in the registration statement have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the combined financial statements and financial statement schedule and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the preparation of the combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor from the separate records maintained by Spectra Energy Capital, LLC) and have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners, LP as of March 26, 2007 and the balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP as of March 26, 2007 included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The consolidated financial statements of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The financial statements of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-l regarding the common units. This prospectus does not contain all of the information found in the registration statement. For further information regarding us and the common units offered by this prospectus, you may desire to review the full registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, filed under the Securities Act. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including its exhibits and schedules, may be inspected and copied at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the materials may also be obtained from the SEC at prescribed rates by writing to the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. Our registration statement, of which this prospectus constitutes a part, can be downloaded from the SEC’s web site.
 
We intend to furnish our unitholders annual reports containing our audited financial statements and furnish or make available quarterly reports containing our unaudited interim financial information for the first three fiscal quarters of each of our fiscal years.


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Some of the information in this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” or other similar words. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, or state other “forward-looking” information. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus. The risk factors and other factors noted throughout this prospectus could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.


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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
       
  F-3    
  F-4    
  F-6    
  F-8    
             
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
       
  F-11    
  F-12    
  F-13    
  F-14    
  F-15    
  F-16    
  F-37    
  F-38    
  F-39    
  F-40    
  F-41    
             
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
       
  F-47    
  F-48    
  F-49    
             
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
       
  F-50    
  F-51    
  F-52    
             
GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
       
  F-53    
  F-54    
  F-55    
  F-56    
  F-57    
  F-58    
  F-59    


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
       
  F-67    
  F-68    
  F-69    
  F-70    
  F-71    
  F-72    


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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Introduction
 
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners, LP as of March 31, 2007, for the year ended December 31, 2006, and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 are based upon the historical audited and unaudited combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor (the Predecessor). The Predecessor includes 100% of East Tennessee Natural Gas LLC (East Tennessee), 50.0% of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC (Market Hub), and 24.5% of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC (Gulfstream). The Predecessor includes East Tennessee in its financial statements, and accounts for the interests in Gulfstream and Market Hub using the equity method of accounting. Following the offering, Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the Partnership) will own these entities in the same proportions as represented in the Predecessor, and consequently, the Partnership will consolidate its interest in East Tennessee and will account for its 50.0% interest in Market Hub and its 24.5% in Gulfstream using the equity method of accounting.
 
The contribution by Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy) to the Partnership of the East Tennessee, Market Hub and Gulfstream assets will be recorded at historical cost as it is considered to be a reorganization of entities under common control. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Partnership include the Partnership and its operating companies. The pro forma adjustments have been prepared as if the transactions to be effected at the closing of this offering had taken place on March 31, 2007, in the case of the pro forma balance sheet, and as of January 1, 2006, in the case of the pro forma statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that the Partnership will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes accompanying such unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and with the historical audited combined financial statements and related notes set forth elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet and the unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations were derived by adjusting the historical audited combined financial statements of the Predecessor. The adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain estimates and assumptions. Actual effects of these transactions will differ from the pro forma adjustments. However, the Predecessor’s management (management) believes that the assumptions provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects of the transactions as contemplated and that the pro forma adjustments are factually supportable and give appropriate effect to the expected impact of events that are directly attributable to the formation of the Partnership, the transfer of the operations of the Predecessor and the related transactions, and that are expected to have a continuing impact on the Partnership.
 
In connection with the offering:
 
  •  Spectra Energy or its subsidiaries will contribute certain of their assets to us or our subsidiaries;
 
  •  we will issue to Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy, a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights, which will entitle our general partner to increasing percentages of the cash we distribute in excess of $0.3594 per unit per quarter (115% of the minimum quarterly distribution);
 
  •  we will issue 10,000,000 common units to the public in this offering, representing a 15.4% limited partner interest in us, and will use the proceeds as described in “Use of Proceeds”;
 
  •  we expect to borrow $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt under our $500 million credit facility; and
 
  •  we will enter into an omnibus agreement with Spectra Energy, our general partner and certain of their affiliates pursuant to which:
 
  —  we will reimburse Spectra Energy for the payment of certain operating expenses and for providing various general and administrative services.
 
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred if the Partnership had assumed the operations of the Predecessor on the dates indicated or which would be obtained in the future.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
 
                                 
    Spectra Energy
                Spectra Energy
 
    Partners Predecessor
    Pro Forma
          Partners, LP
 
    Historical     Adjustments           Pro Forma  
    (In thousands, except unit and per unit data)  
 
Operating Revenues
                               
Transportation of natural gas
  $ 80,531     $             $ 80,531  
Transportation of natural gas — affiliates
    46                     46  
Storage of natural gas and other
    2,032                     2,032  
                                 
Total operating revenues
    82,609                     82,609  
                                 
Operating Expenses
                               
Operations, maintenance and other
    8,970                     8,970  
Operations, maintenance and other — affiliates
    12,861                     12,861  
Depreciation and amortization
    18,986                     18,986  
Property and other taxes
    4,177                     4,177  
                                 
Total operating expenses
    44,994                     44,994  
                                 
Operating Income
    37,615                     37,615  
Other Income and Expenses
                               
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    41,105                       41,105  
Other income (expenses), net
    1,765                     1,765  
                                 
Total other income and expenses
    42,870                     42,870  
                                 
Interest Income
    15       7,701  (a)             7,716  
Interest Expense
    8,151       16,782  (a)             25,133  
              200  (b)                
                                 
Earnings before Income Taxes
    72,349       (9,281 )             63,068  
Income Tax Expense
    10,741       (10,288 )(c)             453  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 61,608     $ 1,007             $ 62,615  
                                 
General partner’s interest in net income
                          $ 1,252  
                                 
Limited partners’ interest in net income
                          $ 61,363  
                                 
Net income per limited partners’ unit
                               
Common units
                          $ 1.25  
                                 
Subordinated units
                          $ 0.38  
                                 
Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding
                               
Common units
                            42,844,733  
                                 
Subordinated units
                            20,773,204  
                                 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
 
 
                                 
    Spectra Energy
                Spectra Energy
 
    Partners Predecessor
    Pro Forma
          Partners, LP
 
    Historical     Adjustments           Pro Forma  
    (In thousands, except unit and per unit data)  
 
Operating Revenues
                               
Transportation of natural gas
  $ 24,950     $             $ 24,950  
Transportation of natural gas — affiliates
                         
Storage of natural gas and other
    1,483                     1,483  
                                 
Total operating revenues
    26,433                     26,433  
                                 
Operating Expenses
                               
Operations, maintenance and other
    3,587                     3,587  
Operations, maintenance and other — affiliates
    3,318                     3,318  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,969                     4,969  
Property and other taxes
    (127 )                   (127 )
                                 
Total operating expenses
    11,747                     11,747  
                                 
Operating Income
    14,686                     14,686  
Other Income and Expenses
                               
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    11,385                     11,385  
Other income (expenses), net
    12                     12  
                                 
Total other income and expenses
    11,397                     11,397  
                                 
Interest Income
    9       1,925  (a)             1,934  
Interest Expense
    2,156       4,195  (a)             6,401  
              50  (b)                
                                 
Earnings before Income Taxes
    23,936       (2,320 )             21,616  
Income Tax Expense
    4,733       (4,524 )(c)             209  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 19,203     $ 2,204             $ 21,407  
                                 
General partner’s interest in net income
                          $ 428  
                                 
Limited partners’ interest in net income
                          $ 20,979  
                                 
Net income per limited partners’ unit
                               
Common units
                          $ 0.33  
                                 
Subordinated units
                          $ 0.33  
                                 
Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding
                               
Common units
                            42,844,733  
                                 
Subordinated units
                            20,773,204  
                                 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
March 31, 2007
 
                         
    Spectra Energy
          Spectra Energy
 
    Partners Predecessor
    Pro Forma
    Partners, LP
 
    Historical     Adjustments     Pro Forma  
          (In thousands)        
 
ASSETS
Current Assets
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 200,000  (d)   $ 9,946  
              (18,754 )(e)        
              (25,000 )(f)        
              (145,300 )(g)        
              145,300  (h)        
              125,000  (i)        
              (1,000 )(j)        
              (270,300 )(k)        
Accounts receivable
                       
Trade
    9,921       (11,720 )(l)     (1,799 )
Natural gas imbalance receivables
    1,800             1,800  
Natural gas imbalance receivables — affiliates
    8,053             8,053  
Inventory
    1,477             1,477  
Taxes receivable — affiliates
    1,179             1,179  
Other
    1,620             1,620  
Short-term investments
    0       145,300  (g)     145,300  
                         
Total current assets
    24,050       143,526       167,576  
                         
Investments and Other Assets
                       
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
    450,068       (1,974 )(l)     441,409  
              (6,277 )(m)        
              (409 )(n)        
Goodwill
    118,293             118,293  
Other
                 
                         
Total investments and other assets
    568,361       (8,660 )     559,702  
                         
Property, Plant and Equipment
                       
Cost
    799,540             799,540  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (110,751 )           (110,751 )
                         
Net property, plant and equipment
    688,789             688,789  
                         
Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits
    10,766       1,000  (j)     11,766  
                         
Total Assets
  $ 1,291,966     $ 135,867     $ 1,427,833  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

March 31, 2007
 
                         
    Spectra Energy
          Spectra Energy
 
    Partners Predecessor
    Pro Forma
    Partners, LP
 
    Historical     Adjustments     Pro Forma  
 
LIABILITIES AND NET PARENT INVESTMENT
                       
Current Liabilities
                       
Accounts payable trade
  $ 2,753     $     $ 2,753  
Accounts payable trade — affiliates
                 
Taxes accrued
    1,376       (1,376 )(c)      
Taxes accrued — affiliates
    7,113       (7,113 )(c)      
Interest accrued
    2,498             2,498  
Accrued liabilities
    8,242             8,242  
Natural gas imbalance payables
    3,238             3,238  
Natural gas imbalance payables — affiliate
    3,421             3,421  
Other
    3,003       (710 )(m)     2,293  
                         
Total current liabilities
    31,644       (9,199 )     22,445  
                         
Long-term Debt
    150,000       145,300  (h)     420,300  
              125,000  (i)        
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
                       
Deferred income taxes
    114,230       (109,460 )(c)     4,770  
Other
    8,390             8,390  
                         
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    122,620       (109,460 )     13,160  
                         
Partners’ Capital/Parent Net Equity
                       
Parent net investment
    983,989       117,949  (c)      
              (25,000 )(f)        
              (270,300 )(k)        
              (13,694 )(l)        
              (5,566 )(m)        
              (409 )(n)        
              (786,969 )(o)        
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,713             3,713  
Common unitholders — public
          200,000  (d)     181,246  
              (18,754 )(e)        
Common unitholders — sponsor
          470,678  (o)     470,678  
Convertible subordinated unitholders — sponsor
          297,687  (o)     297,687  
General partner interest
          18,604  (o)     18,604  
                         
Total partners’ capital/parent net equity
    987,702       (15,774 )     971,928  
                         
Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital/Parent Net Equity
  $ 1,291,966     $ 135,867     $ 1,427,833  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  Basis of Presentation, The Offering and Other Transactions
 
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the Partnership) have been prepared from information derived from historical audited combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and the assumptions outlined in Note 2 below. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations assumes the offering and transactions as described in this prospectus occurred on January 1, 2006 for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet assumes that the offering and the transactions occurred as of March 31, 2007. These adjustments do not include the effects of the exercise of the underwriters’ option. The adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain estimates and assumptions, and therefore the actual effects of these transactions will differ from the pro forma adjustments.
 
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements reflect the following significant assumptions and transactions:
 
  •  East Tennessee’s and Market Hub’s distribution of accounts receivable of $11.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively, to Spectra Energy Corp;
 
  •  The net proceeds to Spectra Energy Partners, LP of $187.5 million from the issuance and sale of 10.0 million common units at an initial offering price of $20.00 per unit, and the payment of underwriting commissions of $12.5 million;
 
  •  Spectra Energy Partner, LP’s borrowings under a new $500 million credit facility of $145.3 million in term debt and $125 million in revolving debt;
 
  •  The use of proceeds and borrowings to pay transaction expenses and underwriting commissions, reimburse subsidiaries of Spectra Energy for certain capital expenditures, fund working capital, and invest in qualifying securities; and
 
  •  Spectra Energy will indemnify us for certain environmental and tax liabilities and title and right-of-way defects.
 
Upon completion of this offering, Spectra Energy Partners, LP anticipates incurring incremental general and administrative expense of approximately $5.5 million per year as a result of being a publicly traded limited partnership, including costs associated with annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, investor relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs and director compensation. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not reflect these expenses because they are not currently factually supportable as we have not clearly defined the expected scope of required services and we have not finalized negotiations on terms and fees with Spectra Energy and its affiliates.
 
2.  Pro Forma Adjustments and Assumptions
 
(a) Reflects the interest expense related to the borrowings described in (h) and (i) below, and the interest income related to the qualifying securities described in (g) below. The interest expense for the revolving debt is based on an estimated average variable interest rate of 6%. The term debt interest expense is based on an estimated average variable rate of 5.55%. The interest income is based on an estimated average variable rate of 5.30%. A change of 1% would have increased or decreased the net interest expense and interest income by $1.3 million for 2006 and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
(b) Reflects the amortization of the deferred issuance costs related to the debt described in (g) and (h) below over the term of the associated debt, 5 years.
 
(c) Reflects the elimination of historical income taxes for all current and deferred taxes apart from Tennessee state income taxes which will continue to be borne by the Partnership post-offering.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(d) Reflects the assumed gross proceeds to the Partnership of $200.0 million from the issuance and sale of 10.0 million common units at an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per unit.
 
(e) Reflects the payment of underwriting commission of $12.5 million and other offering expenses of $6.3 million for a total of $18.8 million, which will be allocated to the public common units.
 
(f) Reflects the distribution of $25.0 million to reimburse subsidiaries of Spectra Energy for certain capital expenditures incurred prior to the offering.
 
(g) Reflects the purchase of $145.3 million of qualifying investment grade securities using a portion of the proceeds from the offering. These securities are pledged as collateral for the borrowings under the term loan portion of our credit facility.
 
(h) Reflects $145.3 million of term borrowings under the term portion of the new $500 million credit facility.
 
(i) Reflects $125 million of revolving borrowings under the revolving portion of the new $500 million credit facility.
 
(j) Reflects estimated deferred debt issuance costs associated with the new $500 million credit facility.
 
(k) Reflects the distribution to Spectra Energy of a portion of the net proceeds from the offering and borrowings under the new credit facility.
 
(l) Reflects the distribution to Spectra Energy of accounts receivable of an estimated $11.7 million for East Tennessee and an estimated $3.9 million for Market Hub.
 
(m) Reflects the partnership’s share of a distribution from Market Hub and a distribution to East Tennessee by Spectra Energy Capital for funds swept by Spectra Energy Capital as part of its treasury management activities for security deposits received by Market Hub.
 
(n) Reflects Spectra Energy’s retention of certain Market Hub assets related to Copiah County Storage Co, LLC that will not be transferred to the Partnership as part of the offering.
 
(o) Reflects the conversion of the adjusted parent net investment of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor of $786.9 million from parent net investment to common and subordinated limited partner capital of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and the general partner’s interest in Spectra Energy Partners, LP. The conversion is allocated as follows:
 
  •  $470.6 million for 32,844,733 common units purchased by Spectra Energy;
 
  •  $297.7 million for 20,773,204 subordinated units; and
 
  •  $18.6 million for 1,298,325 general partner units.
 
After the conversion, the equity amounts of the common and subordinated unitholders are 66% and 32%, respectively, of total capital, with the remaining 2% capital representing the general partner interest.
 
Common units accrue cumulative cash distributions for any period in which the available cash is not adequate to achieve the minimum distribution of $0.3125 per quarter.
 
The subordinated units may convert to common units should certain performance milestones be reached. The subordination period also will end upon the removal of our general partner other than for cause if the units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal. When the subordination period ends, all remaining subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis, and the common units will no longer be entitled to arrearages.
 
The above assumes that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common units in full, we would receive approximately $28.1 million of net proceeds from the sale of these common units and will (1) use such net proceeds from


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

the sale of these additional units to purchase an equivalent amount of qualifying securities and (2) borrow an additional amount under the term loan facility equal to such net proceeds.
 
3.  Pro Forma Net Income per Unit
 
Pro forma net income per unit is determined by dividing the pro forma net income that would have been allocated, in accordance with the provisions of the limited partnership agreement, to the common and subordinated unitholders by the number of common and subordinated units expected to be outstanding at the closing of the offering. For purposes of this calculation, we assumed that (1) pro forma distributions were equal to pro forma earnings, (2) the number of units outstanding was 42,844,733 common and 20,773,204 subordinated, and (3) all units were assumed to have been outstanding since the beginning of the periods presented. During each quarter of the year ended December 31, 2006, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution was made to all common unitholders, amounting to an annual distribution of $1.25 per common unit, and the subordinated unitholders received distributions to the extent of remaining distributable earnings, amounting to an annual distribution of $0.38 per subordinated unit. During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, the $0.33 per unit was distributed to all common and subordinated unitholders. Although the $0.33 exceeds the Minimum Quarterly Distribution amount of $0.3125 per unit, it is below the first target distribution level of $0.3594 per unit. Pursuant to the partnership agreement, to the extent that the quarterly distributions exceed certain targets, the general partner is entitled to receive certain incentive distributions that will result in more net income proportionately being allocated to the general partner than to the holders of common and subordinated units. The pro forma net income per unit calculations reflect the fact that no incentive distributions were made to the general partner.
 
Staff Accounting Bulletin 1:B:3 requires that certain distributions to owners prior to or coincident with an initial public offering be considered as distributions in contemplation of that offering. Upon completion of this offering, the Partnership intends to distribute approximately $295.3 million in cash to affiliates of Spectra Energy. This distribution will be paid with $25 million of offering proceeds, $125 million of borrowing under the new revolving credit facility and $145.3 million of borrowing under the new term loan facility. Assuming additional common units were issued to give effect to this distribution, pro forma net income per limited partners’ common units would have been $1.07 for the year ended December 31, 2006. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, pro forma net income per common unit would have been $0.31.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Board of Directors
Spectra Energy Corp
Houston, Texas
 
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related combined statements of operations, parent net equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 16. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the combined results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic combined financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared from the separate records maintained by Spectra Energy Capital, LLC and may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed or the results of operations if the Company had been operated as an unaffiliated entity. Portions of certain expenses represent allocations made from and are applicable to Spectra Energy Capital, LLC as a whole.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 27, 2007 (May 7, 2007 as to paragraph 4 of Note 11)


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Table of Contents

SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
          (In thousands)        
 
Operating Revenues
                       
Transportation of natural gas
  $ 80,531     $ 77,553     $ 69,242  
Transportation of natural gas - affiliates
    46       150       9,352  
Storage of natural gas and other
    2,032       2,300       3,122  
                         
Total operating revenues
    82,609       80,003       81,716  
                         
Operating Expenses
                       
Operations, maintenance and other
    8,970       16,680       19,679  
Operations, maintenance and other - affiliates
    12,861       7,968       6,402  
Depreciation and amortization
    18,986       23,640       21,492  
Property and other taxes
    4,177       5,264       518  
                         
Total operating expenses
    44,994       53,552       48,091  
                         
Operating Income
    37,615       26,451       33,625  
                         
Other Income and Expenses
                       
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    41,105       46,287       35,495  
Other income, net
    1,765       528       1,485  
                         
Total other income and expenses
    42,870       46,815       36,980  
                         
Interest Income
    15       24       6  
Interest Expense
    8,151       8,506       8,258  
                         
Earnings before Income Taxes
    72,349       64,784       62,353  
Income Tax Expense
    10,741       7,834       9,202  
                         
Net Income
  $ 61,608     $ 56,950     $ 53,151  
                         
 
See notes to combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current Assets
               
Accounts receivable
               
Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $241 thousand, and $274 thousand, respectively
  $ 9,098     $ 8,898  
Natural gas imbalance receivables
    3,077       3,577  
Natural gas imbalance receivables - affiliates
    4,615       21,363  
Inventory
    2,460       1,503  
Taxes receivable - affiliates
    1,488       1,156  
Other
    38       331  
                 
Total current assets
    20,776       36,828  
                 
Investments and Other Assets
               
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
    442,793       422,340  
Goodwill
    118,293       118,293  
                 
Total investments and other assets
    561,086       540,633  
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Cost
    800,053       706,669  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (108,233 )     (90,353 )
                 
Net property, plant and equipment
    691,820       616,316  
                 
Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits
    10,900       8,995  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 1,284,582     $ 1,202,772  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND NET PARENT EQUITY
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts payable trade
  $ 122     $ 2,061  
Accounts payable trade - affiliates
    2,115       974  
Taxes accrued
    3,419       4,163  
Taxes accrued - affiliates
    3,337       5,820  
Interest accrued
    357       357  
Accrued liabilities
    8,917       14,967  
Natural gas imbalance payables
    1,103       7,673  
Natural gas imbalance payables - affiliates
    3,367       20,143  
Other
    2,810       896  
                 
Total current liabilities
    25,547       57,054  
                 
Long-term Debt
    150,000       150,000  
                 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
               
Deferred income taxes
    113,011       96,811  
Other
    6,899       3,211  
                 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    119,910       100,022  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
Parent Net Equity
               
Parent net investment
    985,333       891,586  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,792       4,110  
                 
Total parent net equity
    989,125       895,696  
                 
Total Liabilities and Parent Net Equity
  $ 1,284,582     $ 1,202,772  
                 
 
See notes to combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
          (In thousands)        
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net Income
  $ 61,608     $ 56,950     $ 53,151  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    18,986       23,640       21,492  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    (41,105 )     (46,287 )     (35,495 )
Allowance for funds used during construction — equity
    (1,760 )     (506 )     (1,483 )
Distributions received from equity investments
    20,335       29,645       13,720  
Deferred income taxes
    12,813       4,369       31,165  
(Increase) decrease in
                       
Accounts receivable
    301       (1,804 )     (2,757 )
Accounts receivable - affiliates
    (252 )     2,738       1,909  
Taxes receivable - affiliates
          6,121       11,630  
Other current assets
    (878 )     68       1,207  
Other assets
    (7,725 )     32       2,145  
Increase (decrease) in
                       
Accounts payable
    58       757       (4,526 )
Accounts payable - affiliates
    (856 )     930       (261 )
Accrued taxes
    (401 )     1,838       (1,785 )
Accrued taxes - affiliates
    (2,944 )     5,689       347  
Other current liabilities
    (9,033 )     6,038       (1,336 )
Other current liabilities - affiliates
    106       (4,421 )     (1,861 )
Other liabilities
    13,025       7,475       (3,275 )
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 62,278     $ 93,272     $ 83,987  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Capital expenditures
    (85,910 )     (59,316 )     (34,269 )
Distributions received from equity investments
          152,143        
                         
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
  $ (85,910 )   $ 92,827     $ (34,269 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Member’s dividend (East Tennessee Natural Gas)
                (3,000 )
Transfers from (to) Parent, net
    23,632       (186,099 )     (46,718 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ 23,632     $ (186,099 )   $ (49,718 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
                 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $     $     $  
                         
Supplemental Disclosures
                       
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized
  $ 8,591     $ 8,566     $ 12,955  
Cash paid (refunded) to (from) Parent for income taxes
    1,086       (5,518 )     (37,369 )
Significant non-cash transactions:
                       
Transfer of assets from affiliate
  $ (8,506 )   $     $  
Contribution of assets to affiliate
          4,018        
Deferred taxes related to transfer of assets from affiliate
    2,958              
Gas imbalances receivables
    17,248       (24,940 )     (1,005 )
Property, plant and equipment accruals
    1,554       12,220       (20,893 )
Capitalization of development costs
    5,701              
 
See notes to combined financial statements


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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF PARENT NET EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
                         
          Accumulated Other
       
    Parent Net
    Comprehensive
    Parent Net
 
    Investment     Income (Loss)     Equity  
          (In thousands)        
 
Balance January 1, 2004
  $ 1,021,321     $     $ 1,021,321  
                         
Net income
    53,151             53,151  
Member’s dividends
    (3,000 )           (3,000 )
Net transfers to parent
    (46,719 )           (46,719 )
                         
Balance December 31, 2004
  $ 1,024,753     $     $ 1,024,753  
                         
Net income
    56,950             56,950  
Other comprehensive income
                       
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges
          4,167       4,167  
Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges
          (57 )     (57 )
                         
Total comprehensive income
                    61,060  
Net transfers to parent
    (190,117 )           (190,117 )
                         
Balance December 31, 2005
  $ 891,586     $ 4,110     $ 895,696  
                         
Net income
    61,608             61,608  
Other comprehensive loss
                       
Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges
          (318 )     (318 )
                         
Total comprehensive income
                    61,290  
Net transfers from parent
    32,139             32,139  
                         
Balance December 31, 2006
  $ 985,333     $ 3,792     $ 989,125  
                         
 
See notes to combined financial statements


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
 
1.   Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
 
These financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor (the Company) are prepared in connection with the proposed initial public offering of limited partnership units in Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the Partnership), which was formed in March 2007 and which will own certain of the operations and assets of the Company, as further described below. Through its operating units, the Company is engaged in the transportation of natural gas through interstate pipeline systems that serve the southeastern United States, and the storage of natural gas in underground facilities that are located in southeast Texas and in south central Louisiana.
 
The Company is comprised of companies that were subsidiaries of Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) for the periods presented in these financial statements.
 
In June 2006, the Board of Directors of Duke Energy authorized management to pursue a plan to create two separate publicly traded companies by spinning off Duke Energy’s natural gas business to Duke Energy shareholders. The spin-off was completed on January 2, 2007, at which time Spectra Energy became a separate publicly-traded entity. Spectra Energy primarily owns the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments of Spectra Energy Capital LLC (Spectra Energy Capital), formerly Duke Capital LLC.
 
The combined financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States on the basis of Spectra Energy’s Predecessor historical ownership percentages of the operations that are expected to be contributed to the Partnership. These historical ownership percentages included: 100% for East Tennessee Natural Gas LLC (East Tennessee), 50% of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC (Market Hub) and 24.5% of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC (Gulfstream). The Company accounts for investments in 20%-to 50%-owned affiliates, and investments in less than 20% owned affiliates where it has the ability to exercise significant influence, under the equity method. Accordingly, the combined historical financial statements for the Company, as the financial statement predecessor to the Partnership, reflect the inclusion of East Tennessee and investments in Market Hub and Gulfstream using the equity method of accounting. These combined financial statements have been prepared from the separate records maintained by Spectra Energy Capital and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred if the Company had been operated separately during those periods. Because a direct ownership relationship did not exist among the entities comprising the Company, the net investment in the Company is shown as Parent Net Equity in lieu of owner’s equity in the combined financial statements.
 
As part of the initial public offering of limited partnership units of the Partnership, Spectra Energy plans to contribute to the Partnership certain of the operations and assets of the Company. The Partnership will own 100% of East Tennessee, 50.0% of Market Hub (excluding Spectra Energy’s retention of certain Market Hub assets related to Copiah County Storage Co, LLC that will not be transferred to the Partnership as part of the offering) and 24.5% of Gulfstream. The Partnership is expected to consolidate its ownership in East Tennessee, with equity accounting for Market Hub and Gulfstream.
 
A subsidiary of Spectra Energy will serve as the general partner of the Partnership and will provide services to the Partnership pursuant to operating and management agreements between the parties.
 
The accompanying combined balance sheets do not include certain Spectra Energy Capital assets and liabilities that are not specifically identifiable to the Company:
 
  •  Spectra Energy Capital managed its cash on a centralized basis for the entire Duke Energy consolidated group, which in the three years ended December 31, 2006, included the various assets and operations of the companies comprising the Company. The individual cash accounts maintained at the business unit levels (i.e. within the Company’s entities) were swept to a Spectra Energy Capital corporate account on a daily basis, creating an Advance Receivable between Spectra Energy Capital (or other affiliates/corporate entities) and Company units. Therefore, the Company’s


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

  financials do not reflect any cash balances. These net advances do not bear interest and are carried as unsecured, intercompany balances. Spectra Energy and the Company’s operating units expect to settle the cumulative advance balances through equity distributions or contributions, as applicable, prior to contribution of these units to the Partnership. Therefore, the consolidated net advances have been reclassified to Parent Net Equity in the Company’s combined balance sheets.

 
  •  The Company’s financing requirements have been managed historically with cash generated by operations and debt issuances, as needed, by the Company’s businesses. Therefore, Spectra Energy Capital’s corporate-level debt issuances and related interest amounts, which generally financed operations outside of the Company’s operations, are not included in the Company’s historical combined financial statements.
 
Gulfstream, as an unconsolidated affiliate of Spectra Energy Capital, did not participate in the centralized cash management activity of Spectra Energy Capital.
 
The Company’s costs of doing business have been reflected in the financial accounting records of the Company for the periods presented. These costs include direct charges and allocations from Spectra Energy Capital and its affiliates for:
 
  •  Business services, such as payroll, accounts payable and facilities management,
 
  •  Corporate services, such as finance and accounting, legal, human resources, investor relations, public and regulatory policy, and senior executives,
 
  •  Pension and other post-retirement benefit costs.
 
Transactions between the Company and other Spectra Energy Capital operations have been identified in the combined financial statements as transactions between affiliates (see Note 3).
 
In the opinion of management, the assumptions underlying the combined financial statements are reasonable.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Use of Estimates .  To conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the combined financial statements and notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge at the time, actual results could differ .
 
Inventory.   Inventory primarily consists of natural gas held in storage and is recorded at the lower of cost or market value, primarily using the average cost method.
 
Cost-Based Regulation .  The Company accounts for its regulated operations at East Tennessee under the provisions of SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation”. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording assets for costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers or recording liabilities for amounts that are expected to be returned to customers in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, the Company records assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Management continually assesses whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets and liabilities are classified in the Combined Balance Sheets as Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits, and Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities. The Company periodically evaluates the applicability of SFAS No. 71, and considers factors such as regulatory changes and the impact of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, the Company may have to reduce certain of its asset balances to reflect a market basis lower than cost and


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

write-off the associated regulatory assets. The Company has no regulatory liabilities for the periods included in the financial statements. (For further information, see Note 5.)
 
Goodwill .  Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired. The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment under the guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Under this provision, goodwill is subject to an annual test for impairment. The Company has designated August 31 as the date it performs the annual review for goodwill impairment for its reporting units. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, the Company performs the annual review for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level, which the Company has determined to be an operating segment or one level below.
 
Impairment testing of goodwill consists of a two-step process. The first step involves a comparison of the implied fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves a comparison of the fair value and carrying value of the goodwill of that reporting unit. If the carrying value of the goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Additional impairment tests are performed between the annual reviews if events or changes in circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount.
 
The Company uses a discounted cash flow analysis to determine fair value. Key assumptions in the determination of fair value include the use of an appropriate discount rate and estimated future cash flows. In estimating cash flows, the Company incorporates expected growth rates, regulatory stability and the ability to renew contracts, as well as other factors that affect revenue and expense forecasts. The Company did not record any impairment of its goodwill in 2006, 2005 and 2004, and there have been no additions, amortizations, or other changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years then ended. Goodwill for the Company’s sole operating segment, East Tennessee, was $118,293 thousand at December 31, 2006 and 2005.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment .  Property, plant and equipment are stated at the lower of historical cost less accumulated depreciation or fair value, if impaired. The Company capitalizes all construction-related direct labor and material costs, as well as indirect construction costs. Indirect costs include general engineering, taxes and the cost of funds used during construction. The cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of property, plant and equipment is also capitalized. The cost of repairs, replacements and major maintenance projects, which do not extend the useful life or increase the expected output of property, plant and equipment, is expensed as it is incurred. Depreciation is generally computed over the asset’s estimated useful life using the straight-line method. The composite weighted-average depreciation rates were 2.6% for 2006, 3.7% for 2005, and 3.7% for 2004.
 
When the Company retires its regulated property, plant and equipment, it charges the original cost plus the cost of retirement, less salvage value, to accumulated depreciation and amortization. When it sells entire regulated operating units, or retires or sells non-regulated properties, the cost is removed from the property account and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts are reduced. Any gain or loss is recorded in income, unless otherwise required by the applicable regulatory body.
 
Asset Retirement Obligations.   In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting For Asset Retirement Obligations” which was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2003 and addresses financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the related asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted for any revisions to the expected value of the retirement obligation (with corresponding adjustments to property, plant, and equipment), and for accretion of the liability due to the passage of time. Additional depreciation expense is recorded prospectively for any property, plant and equipment increases.
 
Asset retirement obligations of the Company relate primarily to right-of-way agreements, asbestos removal and contractual leases for land use. In accordance with SFAS No. 143, the Company identified certain assets that have an indeterminate life, and thus the fair value of the retirement obligation is not reasonably estimable. These assets included on-shore pipelines. A liability for these asset retirement obligations will be recorded when a fair value is determinable.
 
In March 2005, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” (FIN 47). The adoption of FIN 47 had no impact on the income of the regulated gas pipeline operations. Any effects would be offset by the establishment of regulatory assets and liabilities pursuant to SFAS No. 71.
 
Unamortized Debt Expense .  Debt expenses incurred with the issuance of outstanding long-term debt are deferred and amortized over the terms of the debt issues. Any call premiums or unamortized expenses associated with refinancing higher-cost debt obligations to finance regulated assets and operations are amortized consistent with regulatory treatment of those items, where appropriate.
 
Long-Lived Asset Impairment and Assets Held For Sale .  The Company evaluates whether long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, have been impaired when circumstances indicate the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. For such long-lived assets, impairment exists when its carrying value exceeds the sum of estimates of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. When alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount of a long-lived asset are under consideration, a probability-weighted approach is used for developing estimates of future undiscounted cash flows. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable based on these estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value, such that the asset’s carrying value is adjusted to its estimated fair value.
 
Management assesses the fair value of long-lived assets using commonly accepted techniques, and may use more than one source. Sources to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent third party comparable sales, internally developed discounted cash flow analysis and analysis from outside advisors. Significant changes in market conditions resulting from events such as changes in commodity prices or the condition of an asset, or a change in management’s intent to utilize the asset would generally require management to re-assess the cash flows related to the long-lived assets.
 
The Company uses the criteria in SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” to determine when an asset is classified as “held for sale.” Upon classification as “held for sale,” the long-lived asset or asset group is measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, depreciation is ceased and the asset or asset group is separately presented on the Combined Balance Sheets. When an asset or asset group meets the SFAS No. 144 criteria for classification as held for sale within the Combined Balance Sheets, the Company does not retrospectively adjust prior period balance sheets to conform to current year presentation.
 
Equity Method Investments.   The Company accounts for investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates, and investments in less than 20% owned affiliates where Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor has the ability to exercise significant influence, under the equity method.
 
Cash Flow Hedges.   An equity investee of the Company has entered into cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of a derivative designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge, to the extent effective, are reported as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI) of the equity investee until


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

earnings are affected by the hedged transaction. The Company recognizes a proportionate share of the equity investee’s activity in the Combined Statements of Parent Net Equity and Comprehensive Income.
 
Natural Gas Imbalances .  The Combined Balance Sheets include in-kind balances as a result of differences in gas volumes received and delivered for customers. Natural gas volumes owed to or by the Company are valued at market index prices as of the balance sheet dates. Since the settlement of imbalances in the Company’s pipeline operations is in-kind, changes in these balances do not have an impact on the Company’s Combined Statements of Cash Flows. Accounts receivable includes $7,692 thousand and $24,940 thousand as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and other current liabilities includes $4,471 thousand and $20,412 thousand as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to gas imbalances. Natural gas volumes owed to (by) the Company are valued at natural gas market index prices as of the balance sheet dates.
 
Environmental Expenditures .  The Company expenses environmental expenditures related to conditions caused by past operations that do not generate current or future revenues. Environmental expenditures related to operations that generate current or future revenues are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate. Liabilities are recorded when the necessity for environmental remediation becomes probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated, or when other potential environmental liabilities are reasonably estimable and probable.
 
Revenue Recognition .  Revenues on natural gas transportation and storage are recognized when the service is provided. Revenues from long-term contracts with billed rates that decline annually are recognized evenly over the term of the contract. This results in increasing deferred revenue balances in the early years of the contract that are recognized in revenue over the later years of the contract. Revenues related to these services provided, but not yet billed, are estimated each month. These estimates are generally based on contract data, regulatory information, and preliminary throughput and allocation measurements. Final bills for the current month are billed and collected in the following month. Differences between actual and estimated revenues are immaterial. From time to time, certain revenues may be subject to refund pending the outcome of rate matters before the FERC, and reserves are established where required. There were no pending rate cases and no related reserves were recorded as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $241 thousand for 2006, $274 thousand for 2005 and $208 thousand for 2004.
 
Significant Customers .  The customers accounting for 10% or more of combined revenues during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 are as follows:
 
                         
    % of Revenues
 
    Years Ended
 
    December 31,  
Customer
  2006     2005     2004  
 
Atmos Energy Corporation
    18 %     16 %     16 %
KGEN Murray I and II, LLC
    13 %     14 %     (1 )
Knoxville Utilities Board
    (1 )     10 %     10 %
Duke Energy Murray, LLC
    (2 )     (2 )     10 %
 
 
(1)  Percentage below 10%
 
(2)  Duke Energy Murray, LLC, owned by a related party, was sold to KGEN Murray, LLC in September 2004.
 
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) .  AFUDC, which represents the estimated debt and equity costs of capital funds necessary to finance the construction and expansion of new regulated facilities, consists of two components, an equity component and an interest component. The equity component is a non-cash item. AFUDC is capitalized as a component of Property, Plant and Equipment Cost, with offsetting credits to the Combined Statements of Operations. After construction is completed, the Company is permitted to recover these costs through inclusion in the rate base calculation. The total


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

amount of AFUDC included in the Combined Statements of Operations was $2,236 thousand in 2006, which consisted of an equity component of $1,760 thousand and an interest expense component of $476 thousand. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Combined Statements of Operations was $651 thousand in 2005, which consisted of an equity component of $506 thousand and an interest expense component of $145 thousand. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Combined Statements of Operations was $1,935 thousand in 2004, which consisted of an equity component of $1,483 thousand and an interest expense component of $452 thousand.
 
Income Taxes .  Duke Energy and its subsidiaries historically filed a consolidated federal income tax return and other state returns as required. The Company’s East Tennessee operations were subject to corporate income tax under a tax sharing agreement with Duke Energy. Income taxes have been provided by the Company on the basis of its separate company income and deductions related to East Tennessee in accordance with established practices of Duke Energy. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences between the GAAP and tax carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. These differences create taxable or tax deductible amounts for future periods.
 
Management evaluates and records contingent tax liabilities and related interest based on the probability of ultimately sustaining the tax deductions or income positions. Management assesses the probabilities of successfully defending the tax deductions or income positions based upon statutory, judicial or administrative authority. There were no such contingent liabilities recorded by the Company for the periods presented.
 
Market Hub and Gulfstream are not subject to income tax, but rather the taxable income or loss of these entities is reported on the respective income tax returns of the respective members. Accordingly, there is no tax provision related to those entities in these combined financial statements.
 
Segment Reporting .  SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” establishes standards for a public company to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments in annual and interim financial reports. Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. Two or more operating segments may be aggregated into a single reportable segment provided aggregation is consistent with the objectives and basic principles of SFAS No. 131, if the segments have similar economic characteristics, and the segments are considered similar under criteria provided by SFAS No. 131. There is no aggregation within the Company’s defined business segments. SFAS No. 131 also establishes standards and related disclosures about the way the operating segments were determined, products and services, geographic areas and major customers, differences between the measurements used in reporting segment information and those used in the Company’s general-purpose financial statements, and changes in the measurement of segment amounts from period to period. The description of the Company’s reportable segments, consistent with how business results are expected to be reported internally to the Partnership’s management and the disclosure of segment information in accordance with SFAS No. 131, are presented in Note 4.
 
Distributions from Equity Investees .  The Company considers dividends received from equity investees which do not exceed cumulative equity in earnings subsequent to the date of investment as returns on investment, and classifies these amounts as operating activities within the accompanying Combined Statements of Cash Flows. Cumulative dividends received in excess of cumulative equity in earnings subsequent to the date of investment are considered a return of investment and are classified as investing activities within the accompanying Combined Statements of Cash Flows.


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
New Accounting Standards.   The following new accounting standards were adopted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2006 and the impact of such adoption, if applicable, has been presented in the accompanying combined financial statements:
 
FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments.”   The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1 in November 2005, which was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006. This FSP addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary and the measurement of an impairment loss. This FSP also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The guidance in this FSP amends SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and SFAS No. 124, “Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations,” and APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.” The adoption of FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1 did not have an impact on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
FERC Accounting Order.   In June 2005, the FERC issued an Order on Accounting for Pipeline Assessment Costs that requires most pipeline inspection and integrity assessment activities to be recognized as expenses, as incurred. In the Order, FERC confirmed that pipeline betterments and replacements, including those resulting from integrity inspections, will continue to be capitalized when appropriate. This FERC Order was effective for pipeline inspection and integrity assessment costs incurred on or subsequent to January 1, 2006 and increased annual expenses for the Company by approximately $1,698 thousand. Pipeline inspection and integrity assessment costs capitalized prior to the effective date of the rule were not impacted.
 
SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB No. 108) . In September 2006 the SEC issued SAB No. 108, which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Traditionally, there have been two widely-recognized approaches for quantifying the effects of financial statement misstatements. The income statement approach focuses primarily on the impact of a misstatement on the income statement — including the reversing effect of prior year misstatements — but its use can lead to the accumulation of misstatements in the balance sheet. The balance sheet approach, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the effect of correcting the period-end balance sheet with less emphasis on the reversing effects of prior year errors on the income statement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach (a “dual approach”) and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material.
 
SAB No. 108 was effective for the year ending December 31, 2006. SAB No. 108 permits existing public companies to initially apply its provisions either by (i) restating prior financial statements as if the “dual approach” had always been used or (ii), under certain circumstances, recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the “dual approach” as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Spectra Energy has historically used a dual approach for quantifying identified financial statement misstatements. Therefore, the adoption of SAB No. 108 did not have any material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following new accounting standards were adopted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the impact of such adoption, if applicable, has been presented in the accompanying combined financial statements:
 
SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets — an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.”   In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153 which amends APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” by eliminating the exception to the fair-value principle for exchanges of similar productive assets, which were accounted for under APB Opinion No. 29 based on the book value of the asset surrendered with no gain or loss recognition. SFAS No. 153 also eliminates APB Opinion No. 29’s concept of culmination of an earnings process. The amendment requires that an exchange of nonmonetary assets be accounted for at fair value if the exchange has commercial substance and fair value is determinable within reasonable limits. Commercial substance is assessed by comparing the entity’s expected cash flows immediately before and after the exchange. If the difference is significant, the transaction is considered to have commercial substance and should be recognized at fair value. SFAS No. 153 was effective for nonmonetary transactions occurring on or after July 1, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have an impact on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
SFAS No. 154 “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” or SFAS 154. In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS 154, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20, or APB 20, “Accounting Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” Among other changes, SFAS 154 requires that a voluntary change in accounting principle be applied retrospectively with all prior period financial statements presented under the new accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to do so. SFAS 154 also (1) provides that a change in depreciation or amortization of a long-lived nonfinancial asset be accounted for as a change in estimate (prospectively) that was effected by a change in accounting principle, and (2) carries forward without change the guidance within APB 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate. The adoption of SFAS 154 on January 1, 2006, did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
FIN 47 “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.”   In March 2005, the FASB issued FIN 47, which clarifies the accounting for conditional asset retirement obligations as used in SFAS No. 143. A conditional asset retirement obligation is an unconditional legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Therefore, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation under SFAS No. 143 if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The provisions of FIN 47 were effective for the Company as of December 31, 2005. The adoption of FIN 47 did not have an impact on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
FSP No. APB 18-1, “Accounting by an Investor for Its Proportionate Share of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income of an Investee Accounted for under the Equity Method in Accordance with APB Opinion No. 18 upon a Loss of Significant Influence.”   In July 2005, the FASB staff issued FSP No. APB 18-1 which provides guidance for how an investor should account for its proportionate share of an investee’s equity adjustments for other comprehensive income (OCI) upon a loss of significant influence. APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock”, requires a transaction of an equity method investee of a capital nature be accounted for as if the investee were a combined subsidiary, which requires the investor to record its proportionate share of the investee’s adjustments for OCI as increases or decreases to the investment account with corresponding adjustments in equity. FSP No. APB 18-1 requires that an investor’s proportionate share of an investee’s equity adjustments for OCI should be offset against the carrying value of the investment at the time significant influence is lost and equity method accounting is no longer


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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

appropriate. However, to the extent that the offset results in a carrying value of the investment that is less than zero, an investor should (a) reduce the carrying value of the investment to zero and (b) record the remaining balance in income. The guidance in FSP No. APB 18-1 was effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2005. The adoption of FSP No. APB 18-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
The following new accounting standards were adopted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2004 and the impact of such adoption, if applicable, has been presented in the accompanying combined financial statements:
 
FIN 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”.   In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46 which requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity’s activities to consolidate the variable interest entity. FIN 46 defines a variable interest entity as an entity in which the equity investors do not have substantive voting rights and there is not sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. The primary beneficiary absorbs a majority of the expected losses and/or receives a majority of the expected residual returns of the variable interest entity’s activities. In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46 (Revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities — An Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46R), which supersedes and amends the provisions of FIN 46. While FIN 46R retains many of the concepts and provisions of FIN 46, it also provides additional guidance and additional scope exceptions, and incorporates FASB Staff Positions related to the application of FIN 46.
 
The provisions of FIN 46 applied immediately to variable interest entities created, or interests in variable interest entities obtained, after January 31, 2003, while the provisions of FIN 46R were required to be applied to those entities, except for special purpose entities, by the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. For variable interest entities created, or interests in variable interest entities obtained, on or before January 31, 2003, FIN 46 or FIN 46R was required to be applied to special-purpose entities by the end of the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2003, and was required to be applied to all other non-special purpose entities by the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46R did not have a material impact on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
 
The Company has not identified any variable interest entities created, or interests in variable entities obtained, after January 31, 2003, which require consolidation or disclosure under FIN 46R.
 
Various changes and clarifications to the provisions of FIN 46 have been made by the FASB since its original issuance in January 2003. While not anticipated at this time, any additional clarifying guidance or further changes to these complex rules could have an impact on the Company’s combined financial statements.
 
The following new accounting standards have been issued, but has not yet been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2006:
 
FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. ” In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which provides guidance on accounting for income tax positions about which Spectra Energy Partners has concluded there is a level of uncertainty with respect to the recognition in Spectra Energy Partners’ financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet. Tax positions are defined very broadly and include not only tax deductions and credits but also decisions not to file in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the taxability of transactions. Spectra Energy Partners will implement FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. In addition, subsequent accounting for FIN 48 (after January 1, 2007) will involve an evaluation to determine if any changes have occurred that would impact the existing uncertain tax positions as well as determining whether any new tax positions are uncertain. Any impacts resulting from the evaluation of existing uncertain tax positions or from the recognition of new


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

uncertain tax positions would impact income tax expense and interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The implementation is not expected to result in a material impact to the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FAS 115,” or SFAS 159. In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, which allows entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item’s fair value in subsequent reporting periods must be recognized in current earnings. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to draw comparison between entities that elect different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We have not assessed the impact of SFAS 159 on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS No. 157 may change the Company’s current practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. For the Company, SFAS No. 157 is effective as of January 2008 and must be applied prospectively, except in certain cases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157, and cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 157 on its combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
3.   Transactions with Affiliates
 
In the normal course of business, the Company provides natural gas transportation, storage and other services to Spectra Energy Capital and its affiliates. In addition, the Company engages in other transactions with affiliates, including reimbursement of costs incurred by affiliates on behalf of the Company and allocations from affiliates for various corporate services including legal, accounting, treasury, information technology and human resources. Affiliates charge such expenses based on the cost of actual services provided or using various allocation methodologies based on the Company’s percentage of assets, employees, earnings or other measures, as compared to other affiliates. Management believes the allocation methodologies are reasonable; however, these allocations and estimates may not represent the amounts that would have been incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity.


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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Transactions with affiliates are summarized in the tables below:
 
Statement of Operations
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Transportation of natural gas(1)
  $ 46     $ 150     $ 9,352  
Operation and maintenance expenses(2)
    12,861       7,968       6,402  
 
 
(1) In the normal course of business, the Company provides natural gas transportation, storage and other services to affiliates.
 
(2) Includes operation and maintenance costs incurred by the Company in relation to those natural gas storage and other services provided to Spectra Energy Capital and its affiliates as identified above. Additionally includes costs the Company has incurred as allocations of various overhead charges that are based either on the cost of actual service received or using various allocation methodologies based on the Company’s percentage of assets, employees, earnings or other measures, as compared to Spectra Energy Capital affiliates.
 
Balance Sheet
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Natural gas imbalance receivable
  $ 4,615     $ 21,363  
Accounts payable
    2,115       974  
Taxes accrued
    3,337       5,820  
Natural gas imbalance payables
    3,367       20,143  
Taxes receivable
    1,488       1,156  
 
See also Notes 1, 9, 10 and 11 for discussion of other specific related party transactions.
 
Advances receivable from and payable to affiliates do not bear interest. Advances are carried as unsecured, open accounts and are not segregated between current and non-current amounts. Increases and decreases in advances generally result from the movement of funds to provide for operations, capital expenditures and debt payments of the Company.
 
On August 1, 2004, East Tennessee made a dividend of approximately $3 million to Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT) through Advances Receivable (Payable) – Affiliates account, representing the Company’s ownership interest in its wholly owned subsidiaries, Duke Energy Gas Transmission Investments, LLC and Duke Energy Gas Services Finance Corporation.
 
4.   Business Segments
 
The Company’s operations are organized into one business segment: East Tennessee. The Company’s business segment is considered the sole reportable segment under SFAS No. 131.
 
East Tennessee provides interstate transportation of natural gas and the storage and redelivery of liquified natural gas (LNG) for customers in the southeastern U.S. These operations are primarily subject to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rules and regulations.
 
The remainder of the Company’s operations is presented as “Other”. While it is not considered a business segment, Other primarily includes the Company’s equity investments in Gulfstream and Market Hub, and certain unallocated corporate costs.


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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Market Hub owns and operates two natural gas storage facilities, Moss Bluff and Egan. These two facilities have aggregate working gas storage capacity of approximately 35 billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of December 31, 2006. The Moss Bluff facility consists of three storage caverns located in Southeast Texas and has access to five major pipeline systems. The Egan facility consists of three storage caverns located in South Central Louisiana and has access to seven major pipeline systems. These operations are subject to the rules and regulations of FERC and DOT.
 
Gulfstream provides interstate natural gas pipeline transportation for customers in central and southern Florida. These operations are subject to the rules and regulations of FERC or TRC and DOT.
 
Accounting policies for the Company’s sole segment is the same as those described in Note 2. Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on earnings before interest and taxes from continuing operations (EBIT).
 
On a segment basis, EBIT represents all profits from continuing operations (both operating and non-operating) before deducting interest and taxes.
 
Business Segment Data
                                 
          Segment EBIT /
             
          Combined
          Capital and
 
          Earnings before
    Depreciation and
    Investment
 
    Total Revenues     Income Taxes     Amortization     Expenditures  
    (In thousands)  
Year Ended December 31, 2006
                               
East Tennessee
  $ 82,609     $ 42,096     $ 18,986     $ 85,910  
Other
          38,404              
                                 
Total
    82,609       80,500       18,986       85,910  
Interest expense
          8,151              
                                 
Total combined
  $ 82,609     $ 72,349     $ 18,986     $ 85,910  
                                 
Year Ended December 31, 2005
                               
East Tennessee
  $ 80,003     $ 28,722     $ 23,640     $ 59,316  
Other
          44,568              
                                 
Total
    80,003       73,290       23,640       59,316  
Interest expense
          8,506              
                                 
Total combined
  $ 80,003     $ 64,784     $ 23,640     $ 59,316  
                                 
Year Ended December 31, 2004
                               
East Tennessee
  $ 81,716     $ 36,464     $ 21,492     $ 34,269  
Other
          34,147              
                                 
Total
    81,716       70,611       21,492       34,269  
Interest expense
          8,258              
                                 
Total combined
  $ 81,716     $ 62,353     $ 21,492     $ 34,269  
                                 
 
Segment Assets
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
East Tennessee
  $ 841,789     $ 780,432  
Other
    442,793       422,340  
                 
Total combined
  $ 1,284,582     $ 1,202,772  
                 


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

5.   Regulatory Matters

 
Regulatory Assets.   Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 71, the Company records assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. For the years presented, the Company’s entities have no regulatory liabilities.
 
                         
    December 31,     Recovery/Refund
 
    2006     2005     Period Ends  
    (In thousands)  
 
Regulatory Assets(1)
                       
Regulatory asset related to income taxes(2)
  $ 8,481     $ 7,711       (3)   
Vacation accrual (non-current)(2)
    1,989       812       2007  
                         
Total Regulatory Assets
  $ 10,470     $ 8,523          
                         
 
All regulatory assets are excluded from rate base unless otherwise noted.
 
 
(1) Included in Other Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits on the Combined Balance Sheets.
 
(2) These amounts are expected to be included in future rate filings.
 
(3) Recovery/refund period currently unknown.
 
East Tennessee.   On November 1, 2005, East Tennessee placed into effect new rates approved by FERC as a result of a rate settlement with customers. The settlement agreement includes a five-year rate moratorium, a reduction of depreciation rates, and certain operational changes. On December 14, 2006, East Tennessee filed to establish system wide segmentation on part of its system, subject to FERC approval. This filing was generally supported by the customers, and is proposed to be implemented effective November 1, 2007.
 
Gulfstream.   In September 2005, FERC approved Gulfstream’s Cost and Revenue study that was required to be filed as a condition in its Phase I and Phase II expansion projects. Gulfstream is not anticipated to have further filing requirements until three years after its Phase III expansion facilities are placed into service, currently expected in 2008.
 
Management believes that the effect of these matters will have no material adverse effect on the Company’s future combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.


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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

6.   Income Taxes

 
Income Tax Expense
 
                         
    For the Years Ended
 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Current income taxes
                       
Federal
  $ (1,622 )   $ 3,240     $ (22,210 ) (1)
State
    (450 )     225       247  
                         
Total current income taxes
    (2,072 )     3,465       (21,963 )
                         
Deferred income taxes
                       
Federal
    11,489       3,068       31,094 (1)
State
    1,324       1,301       71  
                         
Total deferred income taxes
    12,813       4,369       31,165  
                         
Total income tax expense presented in Combined Statements of Operations
  $ 10,741     $ 7,834     $ 9,202  
                         
(1)   Current and deferred federal income taxes in 2004 were impacted by an organizational restructuring undertaken by the Company’s parent, Spectra Energy.
 
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense at the U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Actual Tax Expense (Statutory Rate Reconciliation)
 
                         
    For the Years Ended
 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
 
Income tax expense, computed at the statutory rate of 35%
  $ 25,322     $ 22,674     $ 21,824  
State income tax, net of federal income tax effect
    568       992       206  
Entities not subject to income tax
    (14,387 )     (16,200 )     (12,423 )
Other items, net
    (763 )     368       (405 )
                         
Total income tax expense from operations
  $ 10,741     $ 7,834     $ 9,202  
                         
Effective tax rate
    14.8 %     12.1 %     14.8 %
                         
 
Net Deferred Income Tax Liability Components
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
  $ 3,365     $ 6,819  
Valuation allowance
           
                 
Net deferred income tax assets
    3,365       6,819  
                 
Accelerated depreciation rates
    (112,041 )     (100,253 )
State deferred income tax, net of federal tax effect
    (4,335 )     (3,377 )
                 
Total deferred income tax liabilities
    (116,376 )     (103,630 )
                 
Total net deferred income tax liabilities
  $ (113,011 )   $ (96,811 )
                 


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

7.   Interest Rate, Credit Risk and Financial Instruments

 
Credit Risk.   The Company’s principal customers for natural gas transportation activities are industrial end-users, marketers, exploration and production companies, local distribution companies and utilities located throughout the southern and southeastern U.S. The Company has concentrations of receivables from natural gas and electric utilities and their affiliates, as well as industrial customers, exploration and production companies and marketers. These concentrations of customers may affect the Company’s overall credit risk in that risk factors can negatively impact the credit quality of the entire sector. Where exposed to credit risk, the Company analyzes the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establishes credit limits and monitors the appropriateness of those limits on an ongoing basis.
 
The Company also obtains cash or letters of credit from customers to provide credit support outside of collateral agreements, where appropriate, based on its financial analysis of the customer and the regulatory or contractual terms and conditions applicable to each transaction.
 
Interest Rate.   Changes in interest rates expose the Company to risk as a result of its issuance of fixed-rate debt. The Company monitors market debt rates to identify the need to mitigate this risk, including consideration of hedging activities, if needed. The Company has not previously entered into hedging contracts to mitigate this risk, except for interest rate swaps entered into by Gulfstream in anticipation of their $850 million in project financing, issued October 2005.
 
Financial Instruments.   The fair value of financial instruments is summarized in the following table. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates determined as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in current markets.
 
                                 
    December 31,  
          Approximate
          Approximate
 
    Book Value     Fair Value     Book Value     Fair Value  
             
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Long-term debt(1)
  $ 150,000     $ 150,065     $ 150,000     $ 152,924  
 
 
(1) There are no current maturities.
 
The fair value of accounts receivable and accounts payable are not materially different from their carrying amounts because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
 
8.   Deferred Revenues
 
East Tennessee has a long-term contract with a customer with billed amounts that decline annually over the term of the contract. The revenues billed over the 20 year term of the contract range from $9.9 million to $8.7 million. The annual amount of revenue recognized is $9.4 million with the difference deferred in Deferred Revenues, a long-term Other Liability account. The long-term liability for this contract is $2.3 million as of December 31, 2006 and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2005.
 
9.   Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Related Transactions
 
Investments in affiliates that are not controlled by the Company, but over which it has significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method. As of December 31, 2006, the carrying amount of investments represented a 50% interest in Market Hub and a 24.5% interest in Gulfstream. The Company’s share of net earnings from these unconsolidated affiliates is reflected in the Combined Statements of Operations as Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates.
 
The Company received distributions of $20,335 thousand in 2006 from Gulfstream. These distributions are included in Distributions from Equity Investments within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the accompanying Combined Statements of Cash Flows. In 2005, the Company received distributions of


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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

$181,788 thousand from Gulfstream. Of these distributions, $29,645 thousand are included in Distributions from Equity Investments within Cash Flows from Operating Activities and $152,143 thousand, characterized as a financing activity by Gulfstream, are included in Distributions from Equity Investments within Cash Flows from Investing Activities on the accompanying Combined Statements of Cash Flows. The Company received distributions of $13,720 thousand from Gulfstream in 2004. These distributions are included in Distributions from Equity Investments within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the accompanying Combined Statements of Cash Flows.
 
In October 2005, Gulfstream issued $500,000 thousand aggregate principal amount of 5.56% Senior Notes due 2015 and $350,000 thousand aggregate principal amount of 6.19% Senior Notes due 2025. The proceeds were used by Gulfstream to pay off a construction loan and the balance of the proceeds, net of transaction costs, of approximately $621,000 thousand was distributed to the partners based upon their ownership percentage, which resulted in the distribution of $152,143 thousand to the Company that is classified within Cash Flows from Investing Activities in 2005 noted above.
 
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Gulfstream
  $ 186,354     $ 190,243  
Market Hub
    256,439       232,097  
                 
Total
  $ 442,793     $ 422,340  
                 
 
Equity in Earning of Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
                         
    For the Years Ended
 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
          (In thousands)        
 
Gulfstream
  $ 16,763     $ 16,611     $ 11,081  
Market Hub
    24,342       29,676       24,414  
                         
Total
  $ 41,105     $ 46,287     $ 35,495  
                         
 
Summarized Combined Financial Information of Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance Sheets
               
Current assets
  $ 104,919     $ 190,901  
Non-current assets
    2,228,787       2,106,631  
Current liabilities
    179,925       150,562  
Non-current liabilities
    855,734       881,490  
                 
Net assets
  $ 1,298,047     $ 1,265,480  
                 
 


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Table of Contents

SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
          (In thousands)        
 
Statement of Operations
                       
Operating revenues
  $ 259,061     $ 223,033     $ 159,458  
Operating expenses
    101,527       73,310       61,225  
Net income
    117,106       127,153       94,057  
 
10.   Property, Plant and Equipment
 
                         
    Estimated
    December 31,  
    Useful Life     2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Land
    N/A     $ 1,054     $ 1,054  
Natural gas transmission
    50 years       757,345       651,531  
Equipment
    3-10 years       3,392       3,220  
Vehicles
    3-5 years       2,415       2,453  
Construction in process
    N/A       12,265       25,823  
Other
    5-33 years       23,582       22,588  
                         
Total property, plant and equipment
            800,053       706,669  
Total accumulated depreciation
            (108,233 )     (90,353 )
                         
Total net property, plant and equipment
          $ 691,820     $ 616,316  
                         
 
Capitalized interest, which includes the interest expense component of AFUDC, amounted to $3,362 thousand for 2006, $1,421 thousand for 2005 and $2,350 thousand for 2004.
 
In 2006, the Company capitalized $5.7 million of previously expensed project development costs based on managements’ determination that such costs are properly included in regulated rates. The Company also capitalized in 2005 a non-cash accrual of $7.5 million for acquisition of right of way for the Patriot Expansion project. In 2004, the Company capitalized $24.0 million representing a capital accrual for the resolution of certain construction-related litigation. (See discussion at Note 12).
 
East Tennessee .  In March 2006 Duke Energy Gas Services (DEGS), an affiliated company, contributed to East Tennessee approximately 34 miles of 10-inch diameter pipeline running from Lee County, Virginia to an interconnection with the Company’s Hawkins County Lateral in Rogersville, Tennessee at net book value of approximately $8,506 thousand by an equity transfer between the affiliated companies. Associated deferred taxes of $2,958 thousand related to such assets were transferred from the affiliate. These assets were part of DEGS’ Stone Mountain System and the remaining Stone Mountain System assets were sold by DEGS’ to an unrelated third party.
 
On February 8, 2006, the FERC issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing East Tennessee to construct and operate the Jewell Ridge Lateral, a 32-mile, 20-inch diameter pipeline in Tazewell and Smyth Counties, Virginia. On March 16, 2006, FERC issued a letter order approving the East Tennessee’s request to install tee and side tap valve assemblies to its existing pipelines as part of the Jewell Ridge Lateral project. The lateral was constructed during the summer of 2006 and was placed into service in October 2006. The amounts capitalized to Property, Plant and Equipment included $60,150 thousand for the Jewell Ridge Lateral natural gas pipeline project in Southwest Virginia.

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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
11.   Debt
 
Long-term Debt.   Long-term debt consists of notes payable of $150 million at 5.71% outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 due in one installment in 2012. Interest payments of $4,283 thousand are paid on June and December each year through 2012.
 
Restrictive Debt Covenants.   The Company’s debt agreement contains financial covenants which limit the amount of debt that can be outstanding as a percentage of the total capital. Failure to maintain the covenants could require the Company to immediately pay down the outstanding balance. The covenant calculations are performed by the Company on a quarterly basis to establish that they are in compliance with the covenant. As of December 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with those covenants. In addition, the debt agreement may allow for acceleration of payments or termination of the agreements due to nonpayment, or to the acceleration of other significant indebtedness of the borrower or some of its subsidiaries, if any. The debt agreement does not contain material adverse change clauses.
 
The financial covenants limiting the amount of debt outstanding as a percent of total capital effectively restrict the use of net assets. The sum of the restricted net assets at East Tennessee of $235 million and our proportionate undistributed earnings of Market Hub of $113 million, amounts to 35% of the Company’s combined net assets as of December 31, 2006. Gulfstream had no undistributed earnings as of December 31, 2006. As such there may be a significant restriction on the ability of East Tennessee, Market Hub and Gulfstream to transfer funds to Spectra Energy Partners, LP by means of intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends.
 
Change in Control Covenant.   East Tennessee’s $150 million notes contain a provision which requires the Company to offer to redeem the notes at par upon the occurrence of a change in control event. On April 12, 2007, notices were sent to noteholders to communicate this redemption offer. No noteholders accepted the redemption offer.
 
12.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
General Insurance.   The Company’s operations have carried, through Duke Energy’s captive insurance company, insurance and reinsurance coverages consistent with companies engaged in similar commercial operations with similar type properties. Following the separation of Spectra Energy from Duke Energy, Spectra Energy is providing substantially similar insurance and reinsurance coverages. The Company’s insurance coverage includes (1) commercial general public liability insurance for liabilities arising to third parties for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the Company’s operations; (2) workers’ compensation liability coverage to required statutory limits; (3) automobile liability insurance for all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles covering liabilities to third parties for bodily injury and property damage; (4) financial services insurance policies in support of the indemnification provisions of the Company’s by-law and, and (5) property insurance covering the replacement value of all real and personal property damage, including damages arising from machinery breakdowns, earthquake, flood damage and business interruption/extra expense. All coverages are subject to certain deductibles, terms and conditions common for companies with similar types of operations.
 
The Company maintains excess liability insurance coverage above the established primary limits for commercial general liability and automobile liability insurance. Limits, terms, conditions and deductibles are comparable to those carried by other energy companies of similar size. The cost of the Parent’s general insurance coverages and applicable allocations to the Company continued to fluctuate over the past year reflecting the changing conditions of the insurance markets.
 
Environmental.   The Company is subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. Management believes there are no matters that will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.


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Table of Contents

 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Litigation and Legal Proceedings.   The Company is involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts. Management believes that the final disposition of these proceedings will have no material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
The Company’s prime contractor for certain capital expansion projects claimed in a federal court lawsuit and in arbitration that it was underpaid for services provided on the projects. Numerous subcontractors also filed liens or lawsuits against the Contractor and in some cases the Company. In January 2005, all disputes were resolved and litigation between the parties was dismissed. Third party claims were also resolved in 2005 in consideration of a $24,500 thousand settlement between the Company and the Contractor.
 
The Company’s operating entities are involved in other legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forms regarding performance, contracts, royalty disputes, mismeasurement and mispayment claims (some of which are brought as class actions) and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts. Management believes that the final disposition of these proceedings will have no material adverse effect on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
Other Commitments and Contingencies.   The Company enters into contracts that require payment of cash at specified periods, based on stated minimum quantities and prices. The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual cash obligations for each of the periods presented. The table below excludes all amounts classified as current liabilities on the Combined Balance Sheets:
 
                                         
          Less than 1
                More Than 5
 
          Year
    2-3 Years
    4-5 Years
    Years
 
    Total     (2007)     (2008 & 2009)     (2010 & 2011)     (Beyond 2011)  
                (in thousands)        
 
Long-term debt(1)
  $ 150,000     $     $     $     $ 150,000  
Interest on debt obligations(2)
    51,390       8,565       17,130       17,130       8,565  
Material/capital purchases
    894       894                      
Right of way payments(3)
    5,017       5,017                          
                                         
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 207,301     $ 14,476     $ 17,130     $ 17,130     $ 158,565  
                                         
 
(1) Represents future principal repayments of notes payable.
 
(2) Represents interest expense on notes payable, based on the stated interest rate on the notes of 5.71%.
 
(3) Represents capital commitments for various right of way matters.
 
Leases.   The Company leases assets in several areas of operations. Rental expense for these leases were $854 thousand and $664 thousand in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
Future minimum rental payments under operating leases for the years 2007 through 2008 are de minimus. There are no future minimum lease payments beyond 2008.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

13. Stock-Based Compensation
 
Duke Energy granted stock options, phantom stock and performance awards to designated employees. Spectra Energy expects to make similar grants to designated employees. The costs of these awards are identified by employee and are an expense of the subsidiary for which the employee works. The Company had employees participating in the awards. Effective January 1, 2006, Duke Energy and the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments,” which requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. That cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.
 
The Company recorded $338 thousand of expense for stock options, phantom stock and performance awards for 2006. Prior to 2006, no Company employees received any of the Duke Energy grants of such awards.
 
14. Employee Benefit Plans
 
Duke Energy U.S. Retirement Plan.   Historically, the Company participated in Duke Energy’s non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan and with the separation of Spectra Energy from Duke Energy, now participates in Spectra Energy’s non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan. The plan covers most U.S. employees using a cash balance formula. Under a cash balance formula, a plan participant accumulates a retirement benefit consisting of pay credits that are based upon a percentage (which may vary with age and years of service) of current eligible earnings and current interest credits.
 
Duke Energy’s policy is to fund amounts on an actuarial basis to provide assets sufficient to meet benefits to be paid to plan participants. Duke Energy did not make any contributions to its defined benefit retirement plan in 2006 or 2005. Duke Energy made voluntary contributions of $250 million in 2004. Duke Energy does not anticipate making a contribution to the plan in 2007.
 
Actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the average remaining service period of the active employees. The average remaining service period of the active employees covered by the retirement plan is 11 years. Duke Energy determines the market-related value of plan assets using a calculated value that recognizes changes in fair value of the plan assets over five years. Duke Energy uses a September 30 measurement date for its defined benefit retirement plan.
 
The fair value of Duke Energy’s plan assets was $4,324 million as of September 30, 2006 and $2,948 million as of September 30, 2005. The projected benefit obligation was $4,823 million as of September 30, 2006 and $2,853 million as of September 30, 2005. The accumulated benefit obligation was $4,408 million at September 30, 2006 and $2,753 million at September 30, 2005.
 
The Company’s net periodic pension benefit expense for the U.S. plan, as allocated by Duke Energy, was $232.5 thousand for 2006, $159.1 thousand for 2005, and $148.6 thousand in 2004. These allocations were based on expenses; net of asset returns, as actuarially determined for the employees associated with the Company’s operating units.
 
Duke Energy also sponsors, and the Company participates in, an employee savings plan that covers substantially all U.S. employees. Duke Energy contributes a matching contribution equal to 100% of before-tax employee contributions, of up to 6% of eligible pay per period. Duke Energy expensed employer matching contributions of $75 million in 2006, $61 million in 2005 and $57 million in 2004. The Company’s net periodic pension benefit expense for the U.S. plan, as allocated by Duke Energy, was $374.9 thousand for 2006, $265.8 thousand for 2005, and $262.4 thousand in 2004.
 
Duke Energy U.S. Other Post-Retirement Benefits.   The Company participates in Duke Energy’s, health care and life insurance benefit plans that provide such benefits for retired employees on a contributory and non-contributory basis. Employees are eligible for these benefits if they have met age and service requirements at retirement, as defined in the plans.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

These benefit costs are accrued over an employee’s active service period to the date of full benefits eligibility. The net unrecognized transition obligation is amortized over approximately 20 years. Actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the average remaining service period of the active employees. The average remaining service period of the active employees covered by the plan is 13 years. The fair value of Duke Energy’s plan assets was $237 million as of September 30, 2006 and $242 million as of September 30, 2005. The accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was $1,264 million as of December 31, 2006, and $791 million as of December 31, 2005. Duke Energy uses a September 30 measurement date for its other post-retirement benefit plan.
 
The Company’s net periodic post-retirement benefit cost, as allocated by Duke Energy, was $665.0 thousand, $511.6 thousand, and $560.8 thousand for December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating Revenues:
               
Transportation of natural gas
  $ 24,950     $ 20,938  
Transportation of natural gas — affiliates
          54  
Storage of natural gas and other
    1,483       1,229  
                 
Total operating revenues
    26,433       22,221  
                 
Operating Expenses:
               
Operations, maintenance and other
    3,587       6,420  
Operations, maintenance and other — affiliates
    3,318       4,066  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,969       4,754  
Property and other taxes
    (127 )     1,607  
                 
Total operating expenses
    11,747       16,847  
                 
Operating Income
    14,686       5,374  
                 
Other Income and Expenses:
               
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    11,385       7,059  
Other income, net
    12       335  
                 
Total other income and expenses
    11,397       7,394  
                 
Interest Income
    9       4  
Interest Expense
    2,156       2,067  
                 
Earnings before Income Taxes
    23,936       10,705  
                 
Income Tax Expense
    4,733       1,212  
                 
Net Income
  $ 19,203     $ 9,493  
                 


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
         
    March 31,
 
    2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current Assets:
       
Accounts receivable
       
Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $232 thousand, and $241 thousand, respectively
  $ 9,921  
Natural gas imbalance receivables
    1,800  
Natural gas imbalance receivables — affiliates
    8,053  
Inventory
    1,477  
Taxes receivable — affiliates
    1,179  
Other
    1,620  
         
Total current assets
    24,050  
         
Investments and Other Assets:
       
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
    450,068  
Goodwill
    118,293  
         
Total investments and other assets
    568,361  
         
Property, Plant and Equipment
       
Cost
    799,540  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (110,751 )
         
Net property, plant and equipment
    688,789  
         
Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits
    10,766  
         
Total Assets
  $ 1,291,966  
         
 
LIABILITIES AND NET PARENT EQUITY
Current Liabilities
       
Accounts payable trade
  $ 2,753  
Accounts payable trade — affiliates
     
Taxes accrued
    1,376  
Taxes accrued — affiliates
    7,113  
Interest accrued
    2,498  
Accrued liabilities
    8,242  
Natural gas imbalance payables
    3,238  
Natural gas imbalance payables — affiliates
    3,421  
Other
    3,003  
         
Total current liabilities
    31,644  
         
Long-term debt
    150,000  
         
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
       
Deferred income taxes
    114,230  
Other
    8,390  
         
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    122,620  
         
Commitments and Contingencies
       
Parent Net Equity
       
Parent net investment
    983,989  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,713  
         
Total parent net equity
    987,702  
         
Total Liabilities and Parent Net Equity
  $ 1,291,966  
         


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
Net Income
  $ 19,203     $ 9,493  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization
    4,969       4,754  
Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    (11,385 )     (7,059 )
Allowance for funds used during construction — equity
    (12 )     (331 )
Distributions received from equity investments
    4,029       5,635  
Deferred income taxes
    1,285       5,034  
(Increase) decrease in
               
Accounts receivable
    (1,714 )     (1,734 )
Other current assets
    439       (313 )
Other assets
    59       87  
Increase (decrease) in
               
Accounts payable
    516       (1,907 )
Accrued taxes
    1,733       (3,668 )
Other current liabilities
    3,310       (4,500 )
Other liabilities
    46       11,608  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 22,478     $ 17,099  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Capital expenditures
    (1,931 )     (10,841 )
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (1,931 )   $ (10,841 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Member’s dividend (East Tennessee Natural Gas)
    (12,500 )      
Transfers to Parent, net
    (8,047 )     (6,258 )
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
  $ (20,547 )   $ (6,258 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $     $  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
           
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $     $  
                 


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF PARENT NET EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
                         
          Accumulated Other
       
    Parent Net
    Comprehensive
    Parent Net
 
    Investment     Income (Loss)     Equity  
          (In thousands)        
 
Balance December 31, 2005
  $ 891,586     $ 4,110     $ 895,696  
                         
Net income
    9,493             9,493  
Other comprehensive income reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges
          (79 )     (79 )
Net transfers from parent
    2,248             2,248  
                         
Balance March 31, 2006
  $ 903,327     $ 4,031     $ 907,358  
                         
Balance December 31, 2006
  $ 985,333     $ 3,792     $ 989,125  
                         
Net income
    19,203             19,203  
Other comprehensive income reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges
          (79 )     (79 )
Member’s Dividends
    (12,500 )           (12,500 )
Net transfers to parent
    (8,047 )           (8,047 )
                         
Balance March 31, 2007
  $ 983,989     $ 3,713     $ 987,702  
                         


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.   Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
 
These financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor (the Company) are prepared in connection with the proposed initial public offering of limited partnership units in Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the Partnership), which was formed in March 2007 and which will own certain of the operations and assets of the Company, as further described below. Through its operating units, the Company is engaged in the transportation of natural gas through interstate pipeline systems that serve the southeastern United States, and the storage of natural gas in underground facilities that are located in southeast Texas and in south central Louisiana.
 
The Company is comprised of companies that are subsidiaries of Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy) for the periods presented in these financials.
 
The combined financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the basis of Spectra Energy’s historical ownership percentages of the operations that are expected to be contributed to the Partnership. These historical ownership percentages included: 100% for East Tennessee Natural Gas LLC (East Tennessee), 50% of Market Hub Partners, LLC (Market Hub) and 24.5% of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC (Gulfstream). The Company accounts for investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates, and investments in less than 20% owned affiliates where Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor has the ability to exercise significant influence, under the equity method. Accordingly the combined historical financial statements for the Company, as the financial statement predecessor to the Partnership, reflect the inclusion of East Tennessee, and investments in Market Hub and Gulfstream using the equity method of accounting. These combined financial statements have been prepared from the separate records maintained by those entities and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred if the Company or the Partnership had been operated separately during those periods. Because a direct ownership relationship did not exist among the entities comprising the Company, the net investment in the Company is shown as Net Parent Investment in lieu of owner’s equity in the combined financial statements.
 
As part of the initial public offering of limited partnership units of the Partnership, expected to occur in the second quarter of 2007 subject to Securities and Exchange Commission and other approvals, Spectra Energy plans to contribute to the Partnership certain of the operations and assets of the Company. The Partnership will own 100% of East Tennessee, 50% of Market Hub (excluding certain operations of Market Hub that will be retained by Spectra Energy) and 24.5% of Gulfstream. The Partnership is expected to consolidate its ownership in East Tennessee, with equity accounting for Market Hub and Gulfstream.
 
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the Company’s results of operations and financial position. Amounts reported in the Combined Statement of Operations are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for the respective annual periods.
 
2.   Separation from Duke Energy
 
In June 2006, the Board of Directors of Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) authorized management to pursue a plan to create two separate publicly traded companies by spinning off Duke Energy’s natural gas business to Duke Energy shareholders. The spin-off was completed on January 2, 2007, at which time Spectra Energy became a separate publicly-traded entity. Spectra Energy primarily owns the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments of Spectra Energy Capital LLC, formerly Duke Capital LLC.
 
Spectra Energy and Duke Energy Corp entered into various agreements associated with the separation of the natural gas businesses and related rights, obligations and assets from Duke Energy. As a result of the


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

separation that was effective on January 2, 2007, Spectra Energy and Duke Energy are no longer considered to be related parties.
 
On January 2, 2007, Duke Energy transferred to Spectra Energy the assets and liabilities, including related tax impacts, associated with the Company’s employee benefits and captive insurance positions, as well as miscellaneous corporate assets and liabilities.
 
See also Note (11) for further discussion of employee benefit plans. Certain of these transfers from Duke Energy are subject to change, primarily as a result of final actuarial analyses of the separation of the benefit plans.
 
Subsidiaries of Spectra Energy and Duke Energy continue to conduct business pursuant to ongoing contracts and arrangements in the normal course of those operations, primarily services for the transportation of natural gas. In addition, as a result of the separation from Duke Energy, Spectra Energy, primarily through Spectra Energy Capital, LLC (Spectra Capital), has newly staffed various corporate and other support functions, such as treasury, tax, cash management, payroll, accounts payable, information technology, human resources, and legal and compliance that are required for Spectra Energy to operate as a stand-alone public company. Primarily during the first year following the separation date, it is expected that Duke Energy will provide certain transition services to Spectra Energy until such time as Spectra Energy can create all of the necessary stand-alone functions. The Duke Energy corporate costs included in the Company’s historical financial statements will be replaced by Spectra Energy’s independent operating costs, including the new corporate functions.
 
3.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Use of Estimates.   To conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the combined financial statements and notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge at the time, actual results may differ.
 
4.   Transactions with Affiliates
 
In the normal course of business, the Company provides natural gas transportation, storage and other services to Spectra Energy and its affiliates. In addition, the Company engages in other transactions with affiliates, including reimbursement of costs incurred by affiliates on behalf of the Company and allocations from affiliates for various corporate services including legal, accounting, treasury, information technology and human resources. Affiliates charge such expenses based on the cost of actual services provided or using various allocation methodologies based on the Company’s percentage of assets, employees, earnings or other measures, as compared to other affiliates. Management believes the allocation methodologies are reasonable; however, these allocations and estimates may not represent the amounts that would have been incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity.
 
Transactions with affiliates are summarized in the tables below:
 
Statement of Operations
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Transportation of natural gas(1)
  $     $ 54  
Operating and maintenance expenses(2)
    3,318       4,066  


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
(1) In the normal course of business, the Company provides natural gas transportation, storage and other services to affiliates
 
(2) Includes allocations of various overhead charges that are based either on the cost of actual service received or using various allocation methodologies based on the Company’s percentage of assets, employees, earnings or other measures, as compared to Spectra Energy affiliates.
 
East Tennessee . In March 2006 Duke Energy Gas Services (DEGS), an affiliated company, contributed to East Tennessee approximately 34 miles of 10-inch diameter pipeline running from Lee County, Virginia to an interconnection with the Company’s Hawkins County Lateral in Rogersville, Tennessee at net book value of approximately $8,506 thousand by a non-cash, equity transfer between the affiliated companies. Associated deferred taxes of $2,958 thousand related to such assets were transferred from the affiliate. These assets were part of DEGS Stone Mountain System and the remaining Stone Mountain System assets were sold by DEGS to an unrelated third party.
 
5.   Business Segments
 
The Company’s operations are organized into one business segment: East Tennessee. The Company’s business segment is considered the sole reportable segment under SFAS No. 131.
 
East Tennessee provides interstate transportation of natural gas and the storage and redelivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for customers in the southeastern U.S. These operations are primarily subject to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rules and regulations.
 
The remainder of the Company’s operations is presented as “Other”. While it is not considered a business segment, Other primarily includes the Company’s equity investments in Gulfstream and Market Hub, and certain unallocated corporate costs.
 
Market Hub owns and operates two natural gas storage facilities, Moss Bluff and Egan, which are located in Southeast Texas and South Central Louisiana respectively. Market Hub operations are subject to the rules and regulations of FERC and DOT. Gulfstream provides interstate natural gas pipeline transportation for customers in central and southern Florida. Gulfstream operations are subject to the rules and regulations of FERC or Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) and DOT.
 
Accounting policies for the Company’s sole segment is in conformance with U.S. GAAP and is consistent with the Company’s accounting policies.
 
Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on earnings before interest and taxes from continuing operations (EBIT). On a segment basis, EBIT represents all profits from continuing operations (both operating and non-operating) before deducting interest and taxes.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Business Segment Data
 
                                 
          Segment EBIT /
             
          Combined
    Depreciation
    Capital and
 
    Total
    Earnings before
    and
    Investment
 
    Revenues     Income Taxes     Amortization     Expenditures  
    (In thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
                               
East Tennessee
  $ 26,433     $ 14,707     $ 4,969     $ (1,932 )
Other
          11,385              
                                 
Total
    26,433       26,092       4,969       (1,932 )
Interest expense
          2,156              
                                 
Total combined
  $ 26,433     $ 23,936     $ 4,969     $ (1,932 )
                                 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
                               
East Tennessee
  $ 22,221     $ 5,713     $ 4,754     $ (11,022 )
Other
          7,059              
                                 
Total
    22,221       12,772       4,754       (11,022 )
Interest expense
          2,067              
                                 
Total combined
  $ 22,221     $ 10,705     $ 4,754     $ (11,022 )
                                 
 
Segment Assets
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
East Tennessee
  $ 841,898     $ 841,789  
Other
    450,068       442,793  
                 
Total combined
  $ 1,291,966     $ 1,284,582  
                 
 
Change in Control Covenant.   East Tennessee’s $150 million notes contain a provision which requires the Company to offer to redeem the notes at par upon the occurrence of a change in control event. On April 12, 2007, notices were sent to noteholders to communicate this redemption offer. No noteholders accepted the redemption offer.
 
6.   Debt
 
Long-term Debt.   Long-term debt consists of notes payable of $150 million at 5.71% outstanding as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 due in one installment in 2012. Interest payments of $4,283 thousand are paid on June and December each year through 2012.
 
Restrictive Debt Covenants.   The Company’s debt agreement contains financial covenants which limit the amount of debt that can be outstanding as a percentage of the total capital. Failure to maintain the covenants could require the Company to immediately pay down the outstanding balance. The covenant calculations are performed by the Company on a quarterly basis to establish that they are in compliance with the covenant. As of March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with those covenants. In addition, the debt agreement may allow for acceleration of payments or termination of the agreements due to nonpayment, or to the acceleration of other significant indebtedness of the borrower or some of its subsidiaries, if any. The debt agreement does not contain material adverse change clauses.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
The financial covenants limiting the amount of debt outstanding as a percent of total capital effectively restrict the use of net assets. The sum of the restricted net assets at East Tennessee of $234 million and our proportionate undistributed earnings of Market Hub of $120 million, amounts to 36% of the Company’s combined net assets as of March 31, 2007. Gulfstream has no undistributed earnings as of March 31 2007. As such there may be a significant restriction on the ability of East Tennessee, Market Hub and Gulfstream to transfer funds to the Partnership by means of intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends.
 
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
Environmental.   The Company is subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. Management believes there are no matters that will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
 
Litigation and Legal Proceedings.   The Company is involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts. Management believes that the final disposition of these proceedings will have no material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
The Company’s operating entities are involved in other legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forms regarding performance, contracts, royalty disputes, mismeasurement and mispayment claims (some of which are brought as class actions) and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts. Management believes that the final disposition of these proceedings will have no material adverse effect on the Company’s combined results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
8.   Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Related Transactions
 
Investments in affiliates that are not controlled by the Company, but over which it has significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method. As of March 31, 2007, the carrying amount of investments represented a 50% interest in Market Hub and a 24.5% interest in Gulfstream. The Company’s share of net earnings from those unconsolidated affiliates is reflected in the Combined Statements of Operations as Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates.
 
Periodically, the Company receives distributions from the unconsolidated affiliates. When received, these distributions are included in Distributions from Equity Investments within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the accompanying Combined Statements of Cash Flows. The Company received distributions of $3,675 thousand and $5,635 from Gulfstream and $355 thousand and $0 from Market Hub for the three month period ending March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Gulfstream
  $ 186,787     $ 186,354  
Market Hub
    263,281       256,439  
                 
Total
  $ 450,068     $ 442,793  
                 


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Gulfstream
  $ 4,188     $ 2,331  
Market Hub
    7,197       4,728  
                 
Total
  $ 11,385     $ 7,059  
                 
 
Summarized Combined Financial Information of Unconsolidated Affiliates
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance Sheets
               
Current Assets
  $ 113,473     $ 104,919  
Non-current assets:
    2,245,671       2,228,787  
Current liabilities:
    165,083       154,925  
Non-current liabilities:
    880,447       880,734  
                 
Net assets
  $ 1,313,614     $ 1,298,047  
                 
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Statements of Operations
               
Operating revenues
  $ 58,787     $ 55,830  
Operating expenses
    14,686       24,580  
Net income
    31,609       18,952  
 
9.   New Accounting Pronouncements
 
The following new accounting pronouncements were adopted by the Company during the periods presented subsequent to March 31, 2006:
 
FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. ”  In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which provides guidance on accounting for income tax positions about which the Company has concluded there is a level of uncertainty with respect to the recognition in its financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet. Tax positions are defined very broadly and include not only tax deductions and credits but also decisions not to file in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the taxability of transactions. The Company implemented FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. The implementation had no material impact on the financial statements. Upon implementation of FIN 48, the Company will now reflect interest expense related to taxes as Interest Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, subsequent accounting for FIN 48 (after January 1, 2007) will involve an evaluation to determine if any changes have occurred that would impact the existing uncertain tax positions as well as determining whether any new tax positions are uncertain. Any impacts resulting from the evaluation of existing uncertain tax positions or from the recognition of new uncertain tax positions would impact Income Tax Expense and Interest Expense.


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
The following new accounting pronouncements have been issued, but have not yet been adopted by the Company as of March 31, 2007:
 
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”   In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS No. 157 may change the Company’s current practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. For the Company, SFAS No. 157 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and must be applied prospectively except in certain cases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157 and cannot currently estimate the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”   In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which permits entities to choose to measure certain financial instruments at fair value. For the Company, SFAS No. 159 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and will have no impact on amounts presented for periods prior to the effective date. The Company cannot currently estimate the impact that SFAS No. 159 will have on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows and has not yet determined whether or not it will choose to measure items subject to SFAS No. 159 at fair value.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Partners of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
Houston, Texas
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the “Company”) as of March 26, 2007. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such balance sheet presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spectra Energy Partners, LP as of March 26, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 27, 2007


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
BALANCE SHEET
March 26, 2007
 
         
ASSETS
         
Total assets
  $  
         
 
PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Partners’ Equity
       
Limited partners’ equity
  $ 2,940  
General partner’s equity
    60  
Less receivables from Spectra Energy Corp and Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
    (3,000 )
         
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
  $  
         
 
See note to balance sheet


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
NOTE TO THE BALANCE SHEET
 
1.   Nature of Operations
 
Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the Partnership) is a Delaware limited partnership formed on March 19, 2007 to acquire certain of the assets of Spectra Energy Corp (the Company), including 100% of East Tennessee Natural Gas LLC, a 50% equity method investment in Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC, and a 24.5% equity method investment in Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC.
 
The Partnership intends to offer 10,000,000 common units, representing limited partner interests, pursuant to a public offering and to concurrently issue 32,844,733 common units and 20,773,204 subordinated units, representing additional limited partner interests, to subsidiaries of the Company, as well as 1,298,325 general partner units representing an aggregate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership and its operating partnership on a consolidated basis to Spectra Energy (DE) GP, LP.
 
Spectra Energy (DE) GP, LP, as general partner, contributed $60 and the Company and Spectra Energy (DE) GP, LP, as the organizational limited partner, contributed $2,940 all in the form of notes receivable to the Partnership on March 19, 2007. The receivables from the Company and Spectra Energy (DE) GP, LP have been reflected as a deduction from Partners’ equity on the accompanying balance sheet. There have been no other transactions involving the Partnership as of March 26, 2007.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Partners of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
Houston, Texas
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP (the “Company”) as of March 26, 2007. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such balance sheet presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP as of March 26, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 27, 2007


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP

BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 26, 2007

         
ASSETS
Investment in Spectra Energy Partners, LP
    60  
         
Total assets
  $ 60  
         
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Payable to Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  $ 60  
Partners’ Equity
       
Limited partners’ equity
    990  
General partner’s equity
    10  
Less receivable from Spectra Energy Corp and its subsidiaries
    (1,000 )
         
Total partners’ equity
     
         
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
  $ 60  
         
 
See note to the balance sheet


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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP
 
NOTE TO THE BALANCE SHEET
 
1.   Nature of Operations
 
Spectra Energy (DE) GP, LP (General Partner) is a Delaware company formed on March 19, 2007, to become the general partner of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (Partnership). The General Partner is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy). The General Partner owns a 2% general partner interest in the Partnership.
 
On March 26, 2007, Spectra Energy contributed $1,000 in the form of notes receivable to Spectra Energy (DE) GP, LP in exchange for a 100% ownership interest.
 
The General Partner has invested $60 in the form of notes receivable in the Partnership. There have been no other transactions involving the General Partner as of March 26, 2007.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors
Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
Houston, Texas
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, members’ equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Gulfstream Natural Gas Systems, L.L.C. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 27, 2007


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating Revenues
                       
Transportation of natural gas
  $ 178,768     $ 140,287     $ 90,411  
Other
    1,489       4,817       3,204  
                         
Total operating revenues
    180,257       145,104       93,615  
                         
Operating Expenses
                       
Operations and maintenance
    7,234       1,542       1,750  
Operations and maintenance — affiliates
    7,992       7,755       7,705  
Depreciation and amortization
    30,406       29,190       25,354  
Property and other taxes
    17,847       15,060       7,839  
                         
Total operating expenses
    63,479       53,547       42,648  
                         
Operating Income
    116,778       91,557       50,967  
Gains on Sales of Other Assets and Other, net
    78              
Other Income and Expenses
                       
Allowance for funds used during construction — equity
    241       1,113       3,107  
Other income and expenses, net
    112       670       246  
                         
Total other income and expenses
    353       1,783       3,353  
                         
Interest Expense
                       
Long-term debt
    48,911       27,029       13,248  
Allowance for funds used during construction — borrowed
    (124 )     (1,489 )     (4,156 )
                         
Total interest expense
    48,787       25,540       9,092  
                         
Net Income
  $ 68,422     $ 67,800     $ 45,228  
                         
 
See notes to financial statements


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,426     $ 27,255  
Accounts receivable
    14,964       19,096  
Other
    2,292       2,434  
                 
Total current assets
    46,682       48,785  
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Cost
    1,719,116       1,708,436  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    123,866       93,524  
                 
Net property, plant and equipment
    1,595,250       1,614,912  
                 
Deferred Charges
               
Allowance for funds used during construction — gross up
    22,490       22,731  
Unamortized debt expense
    7,878       8,278  
Other
    230       192  
                 
Total deferred charges
    30,598       31,201  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 1,672,530     $ 1,694,898  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,004     $ 5,715  
Accounts payable — affiliates
    903       834  
Accrued taxes
    13,983       5,933  
Accrued interest
    8,244       8,931  
Other liabilities
    5,719       6,594  
Fuel tracker liabilities
    2,455       5,493  
Other
    1,345       2,160  
                 
Total current liabilities
    34,653       35,660  
                 
Other Long-term Liabilities
    6,160       11,441  
                 
Long-term Debt
    849,571       849,534  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
Members’ Equity
               
Members’ equity
    766,668       781,487  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    15,478       16,776  
                 
Total members’ equity
    782,146       798,263  
                 
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
  $ 1,672,530     $ 1,694,898  
                 
 
See notes to financial statements


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net income
  $ 68,422     $ 67,800     $ 45,228  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    31,099       33,716       30,679  
Allowance for funds used during construction — equity
    (241 )     (1,113 )     (3,107 )
Gains on sales of assets
    (78 )            
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income
    (1,298 )     (234 )      
(Increase) decrease in
                       
Accounts receivable
    3,772       (9,698 )     420  
Other current assets
    (545 )     (143 )     3,575  
Deferred charges
    2,814       402       (642 )
Increase (decrease) in
                       
Account payable
    994       (2,066 )     102  
Accrued taxes
    8,050       4,861       (1,264 )
Accrued interest
    (687 )     6,709       1,573  
Accrued liabilities
    (875 )     5,830       (172 )
Fuel tracker liabilities
    (2,260 )     2,962        
Other current liabilities
    3,197       2,940       223  
Long-term liabilities
    (5,281 )     (108 )     2  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    107,083       111,858       76,617  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Capital expenditures
    (21,654 )     (62,206 )     (124,057 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (21,654 )     (62,206 )     (124,057 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Members’ distributions
    (83,000 )     (741,990 )     (56,000 )
Proceeds from the settlement of hedge instruments
          17,010        
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
          892,069       128,257  
Payments for the redemption of long-term debt
          (217,680 )      
Payments for debt issuance costs
    (258 )     (8,399 )      
                         
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (83,258 )     (58,990 )     72,257  
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    2,171       (9,338 )     24,817  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    27,255       36,593       11,776  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 29,426     $ 27,255     $ 36,593  
                         
Supplemental Disclosures
                       
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 49,423     $ 15,794     $ 6,349  
Significant non-cash transactions:
                       
Property, plant and equipment accruals
    2,204              
Gas imbalances payable
    778       2,531       492  
Allowance for funds used during construction-gross up
    (241 )     274       1,431  
Contribution in aid of construction
          16,685        
Hurricane insurance receivable
                (4,783 )
 
See notes to financial statements


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS’ EQUITY
 
                         
    Spectra Energy
    The Williams
       
    Capital, LLC     Companies     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance January 1, 2004
  $ 732,372     $ 732,372     $ 1,464,744  
                         
Members’ distributions
    (28,000 )     (28,000 )     (56,000 )
Attributed deferred tax benefit
    715       716       1,431  
Net income
    22,614       22,614       45,228  
                         
Balance December 31, 2004
  $ 727,701     $ 727,702     $ 1,455,403  
                         
Members’ distributions
    (370,995 )     (370,995 )     (741,990 )
Attributed deferred tax benefit
    137       137       274  
Other comprehensive income
    8,505       8,505       17,010  
Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges
    (117 )     (117 )     (234 )
Net income
    33,900       33,900       67,800  
                         
Balance December 31, 2005
  $ 399,131     $ 399,132     $ 798,263  
                         
Members’ distributions
    (41,500 )     (41,500 )     (83,000 )
Attributed deferred tax benefit
    (120 )     (121 )     (241 )
Reclassification into earnings from cash flow hedges
    (649 )     (649 )     (1,298 )
Net income
    34,211       34,211       68,422  
                         
Balance December 31, 2006
  $ 391,073     $ 391,073     $ 782,146  
                         
 
See notes to financial statements


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net Income
  $ 68,422     $ 67,800     $ 45,228  
Other comprehensive income
                       
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
    16,776       17,010        
Reclassification adjustment into earnings
    (1,298 )     (234 )      
                         
Total other comprehensive income
    15,478       16,776        
                         
Total Comprehensive Income
  $ 83,900     $ 84,576     $ 45,228  
                         
 
See notes to financial statements


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
 
1.   Nature of Operations
 
In June 2006, the Board of Directors of Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) authorized management to pursue a plan to create two separate publicly traded companies by spinning off Duke Energy’s natural gas business to Duke Energy shareholders. The spin-off was completed on January 2, 2007 creating Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy), which primarily owns the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments of Spectra Energy Capital LLC (Spectra Energy Capital), formerly Duke Capital LLC. Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. (the Company) is 50% owned by Spectra Energy.
 
The Company was formed on May 17, 1999 as a Delaware limited liability company.
 
The Company is an interstate natural gas pipeline system owned 50% by a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) and 50% by a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams). The Company is under the joint management of Duke Energy, which provides the business functions, and of Williams, which provides the technical functions.
 
In May 2002, the Company placed the Phase I facilities in service which consists of 582 miles of pipeline which originates near Pascagoula, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama, extends in a southeasterly direction across the Gulf of Mexico into southern Tampa Bay, Florida, continues east across central Florida, turns north through Polk County and terminates in Osceola County, Florida. In February 2005, the Company placed the Phase II facilities in service, which extends the pipeline system an additional 109 miles across to eastern Florida and into Martin County, Florida.
 
The Company can transport up to 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day from natural gas reserves in the Mobile Bay area of the Gulf of Mexico to a variety of customers, including electric utilities, local distribution companies and municipal users in gas markets in south and central Florida. The pipeline has seven supply connection points in Mississippi and Alabama. The Company’s interstate natural gas transmission operations are subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation.   The financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. The financial statements do not include any of the assets, liabilities, revenues, or expenses of the members.
 
Use of Estimates.   To conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Financial Statements and Notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge at the time, actual results could differ.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.   All liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of purchase are considered cash equivalents.
 
Accounting for Hedges.   The Company entered into derivative transactions that are hedges of the future cash flows of forecasted transactions (cash flow hedges). These derivatives are recorded on the Balance Sheets at their fair value as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Cash outflows and inflows related to derivative instruments are a component of operating and financing cash flows in the accompanying Statements of Cash Flows.
 
Qualifying non-trading derivatives may be designated as either a hedge of a forecasted transaction or future cash flows (cash flow hedge). For all hedge contracts, the Company provides formal documentation of the hedge in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133,


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” In addition, at inception and on a monthly basis the Company formally assesses whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows. The Company documents hedging activity by transaction type (i.e. swaps) and risk management strategy (i.e. interest rate risk).
 
Cash Flow Hedges.   Changes in the fair value of a derivative designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge, to the extent effective, are included in Statements of Members’ Equity and Comprehensive Income as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) until earnings are affected by the hedged transaction. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it has determined that a derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, or when it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative is subject to the Mark-to-Market Model of Accounting (MTM Model) prospectively. Gains and losses related to discontinued hedges that were previously accumulated in AOCI will remain in AOCI until the underlying contract is reflected in earnings; unless it is probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur at which time associated deferred amounts in AOCI are immediately recognized in current earnings.
 
Valuation.   When available, quoted market prices or prices obtained through external sources are used to measure a contract’s fair value. For contracts with a delivery location or duration for which quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on internally developed valuation techniques or models.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment.   Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes all construction-related direct labor and material costs, as well as indirect construction costs. Indirect costs include administrative and general costs and the cost of funds used during construction. The cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of property, plant and equipment is also capitalized. The cost of repairs, replacements and major maintenance projects, which do not extend the useful life or increase the expected output of property, plant and equipment, is expensed as it is incurred. Depreciation is generally computed over the asset’s estimated useful life using the straight-line method. The composite weighted-average depreciation rates were 1.8% for 2006, 1.9% for 2005 and 1.7% for 2004.
 
When the Company retires its regulated property, plant and equipment, it charges the original cost plus the cost of retirement, less salvage value, to accumulated depreciation and amortization. When it sells entire regulated operating units, or retires or sells non-regulated properties, the cost is removed from the property account and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts are reduced. Any gain or loss is recorded as income, unless otherwise required by the FERC.
 
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, SFAS No. 143, “Accounting For Asset Retirement Obligations” (SFAS No. 143) which was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2003 and addresses financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the related asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted for any revisions to the expected value of the retirement obligation (with corresponding adjustments to property, plant, and equipment), and for accretion of the liability due to the passage of time. Additional depreciation expense is recorded prospectively for any property, plant and equipment increases.


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Asset retirement obligations of the Company relate primarily to right-of-way agreements, asbestos removal and contractual leases for land use. In accordance with SFAS No. 143, the Company identified certain assets that have an indeterminate life, and thus the fair value of the retirement obligation is not reasonably estimable. These assets included on-shore pipelines. A liability for these asset retirement obligations will be recorded when a fair value is determinable.
 
In March 2005, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” (FIN 47). The adoption of FIN 47 had no impact on the income of the regulated gas pipeline operations. Any effects would be offset by the establishment of regulatory assets and liabilities pursuant to SFAS No. 71.
 
Unamortized Debt Expense.   Debt expenses incurred with the issuance of outstanding long-term debt are amortized over the terms of the debt issues. Any call premiums or unamortized expenses associated with refinancing higher-cost debt obligations to finance regulated assets and operations are amortized consistent with regulatory treatment of those items, where appropriate. The unamortized amount was $7,878 thousand and $8,278 thousand at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and is classified in Deferred Charges in the accompanying Balance Sheets.
 
Cost-Based Regulation.   The Company accounts for certain of its regulated operations under the provisions of SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation” (SFAS No. 71). The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording assets for costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers or recording liabilities for amounts that are expected to be returned to customers in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, the Company records assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Management continually assesses whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes, recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities, and the status of any pending or potential deregulation legislation. Based on this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets are primarily classified in the Balance Sheets as Deferred Charges. The Company periodically evaluates the applicability of SFAS No. 71, and considers factors such as regulatory changes and the impact of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, the Company may have to reduce its asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write-off their associated regulatory assets and liabilities.
 
Revenue Recognition.   Revenues on natural gas transportation are recognized when the service is provided. From time to time, certain revenues may be subject to refund pending the outcome of rate matters before the FERC, and reserves are established where required. There were no pending rate cases and no related reserves were recorded as of December 31, 2006, or 2005. The allowances for doubtful accounts were $54 thousand, and $0 as of December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively.


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Customer billings that are equal to or greater than 10% of revenues during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
 
Customer
 
                         
    December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
 
Florida Power & Light Company
    51 %     41 %     23 %
Florida Power Corporation
    22 %     23 %     29 %
TECO Energy and subsidiaries
    10 %     13 %     (1 )
Calpine Energy and subsidiaries
    (1 )     (1 )     15 %
 
 
(1) Percentage below 10%
 
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC).   AFUDC, which represents the estimated debt and equity costs of capital funds necessary to finance the construction of new regulated facilities, consists of two components, an equity component and an interest component. The equity component is a non-cash item. AFUDC is capitalized as a component of Property, Plant and Equipment cost, with offsetting credits to the Statements of Operations. After construction is completed, the Company is permitted to recover these costs through inclusion in the rate base and in the depreciation provision. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Statements of Operations for 2006 was $365 thousand, which consisted of an equity component of $241 thousand and an interest expense component of $124 thousand. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Statements of Operations for 2005 was $2,602 thousand, which consisted of an equity component of $1,113 thousand and an interest expense component of $1,489 thousand. The total amount of AFUDC included in the Statements of Operations for 2004 was 7,263 thousand, which consisted of an equity component of $3,107 thousand and an interest expense component of $4,156 thousand.
 
Income Taxes.   The Company is not subject to income tax, but rather the taxable income or loss of the Company is reported on the respective income tax returns of its members. Accordingly, there is no federal tax provision in these financial statements. Since the Company is not responsible for the attributed income taxes, amounts related to the gross-up of AFUDC-Equity are carried in the individual capital accounts of the members. Deferred charges at December 31, 2006, and 2005, reflect the deferred income tax effect of the AFUDC equity gross up of $22,490 thousand and $22,731 thousand, respectively.
 
New Accounting Standards.   The following new accounting standard has been issued, but has not yet been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2006:
 
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157).   In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS No. 157 may change the Company’s current practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. For the Company, SFAS No. 157 is effective as of January 2008 and must be applied prospectively except in certain cases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157, and cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 157 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
3.   Regulatory Matters
 
“In September 2005, FERC approved Gulfstream’s Cost and Revenue study that was required to be filled as a condition in its Phase I and Phase II expansion projects. Gulfstream is not anticipated to have


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

further filing requirements until three years after its recently announced Phase III expansion facilities are placed into service, currently expected in 2008.”
 
FERC Accounting Order.   In June 2005, FERC issued an Order on Accounting for Pipeline Assessment Costs that requires most pipeline inspection and integrity assessment activities to be recognized as expenses, as incurred. In the Order, FERC confirmed that pipeline betterments and replacements, including those resulting from integrity inspections, will continue to be capitalized when appropriate. This FERC Order is effective for pipeline inspection and for integrity assessment costs incurred on or subsequent to January 1, 2006, and increased annual expenses for the Company by an immaterial amount for 2006. Pipeline inspection and integrity assessment costs capitalized prior to the effective date of the rule are not impacted.
 
4.   Related Party Transactions
 
Statements of Operations
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operation and maintenance expenses
  $ 7,992     $ 7,755     $ 7,705  
                         
 
Balance Sheets
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Property, plant and equipment(a)
  $ 2,995     $ 12,066  
Accounts payable
    903       834  
 
 
(a) Reflects amounts billed in the annual period.
 
In 2005, approximately $9,622 thousand of this amount consisted of a construction fee to Gulfstream Management & Operating Services, L.L.C. (GMOS) related to the successful completion of Phase II pipeline construction. In 2006, there was not a construction fee.
 
GMOS, 50%-owned by an affiliate of Duke Energy and 50%-owned by an affiliate of Williams, provides management, construction and operating services pursuant to agreements entered into with the Company and with affiliates of Duke Energy and Williams. GMOS bills the Company for services rendered including labor and benefit costs, employee expenses, overhead costs and in some cases, third party costs. Such amounts are reflected in the Statements of Operations for the year as Operation and Maintenance Expenses or in the Balance Sheets as Property, Plant and Equipment, as appropriate.
 
5.   Gas Imbalances
 
The Balance Sheets include in-kind balances as a result of differences in gas volumes received and delivered for customers. Since the settlement of imbalances is in-kind, changes in the balances do not have an impact on the Company’s Statements of Cash Flows. Accounts Receivable include $1,712 thousand and $1,802 thousand as of both December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and Other Current Liabilities include $1,345 thousand and $2,161 thousand, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to gas imbalances. Natural gas volumes owed to (by) the Company are valued at natural gas market index prices as of the balance sheet dates.


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
6.   Property, Plant and Equipment
 
                     
    Estimated
  December 31,  
    Useful Life   2006     2005  
        (In thousands)  
 
Land
  N/A   $ 18,013     $ 18,208  
Natural gas transmission
  60 years     1,642,926       1,634,239  
Equipment
  5-7 years     1,257       1,231  
Vehicles
  5 years     417       417  
Construction in process
  N/A     12,193       10,114  
Other
  5-20 years     44,310       44,227  
                     
Total property, plant and equipment
        1,719,116       1,708,436  
Total accumulated depreciation
        (123,866 )     (93,524 )
                     
Total net property, plant and equipment
      $ 1,595,250     $ 1,614,912  
                     
 
7.   Hedging Activities, Financial Instruments and Credit Risk
 
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges.   The Company was exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in interest rates. To protect the Company from increasing interest rates and the resulting higher cost of the debt that was issued in 2005, the Company made a decision to lock in existing interest rates by using financial derivatives (swaps) for hedge strategies. The total amount of the debt issued was $850,000 thousand of which $500,000 thousand was hedged. As of September 30, 2005, the Company entered into interest rate swaps totaling $500,000 thousand, all of which were terminated on October 12, 2005, prior to the issuance of the related debt. These derivatives were initially recorded on the Balance Sheets at their fair value as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI). Changes in the fair value of a derivative designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge, to the extent effective, are included in Statements of Members’ Equity and Comprehensive Income as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income until earnings are affected by the hedged transaction. Subsequent to the termination of the interest rate hedges, deferred gains of $15,478 thousand in AOCI as of December 31, 2006 will continue to be amortized to interest expense over the term of the new debt issued through November 1, 2015.
 
Financial Instruments.   The Company’s financial instruments include $850,000 thousand of long-term debt with an approximate fair value of $852,492 thousand and $857,584 thousand as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates determined as of December 31, 2006, and 2005, are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in current markets.
 
Credit Risk.   The Company’s principal customers for natural gas transportation are utilities located throughout the state of Florida. The Company has concentrations of receivables from utilities throughout Florida. These concentrations of customers may affect the Company’s overall credit risk in that risk factors can negatively impact the credit quality of the entire sector. Where exposed to credit risk, the Company analyzes the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establishes credit limits and monitors the appropriateness of those limits on an ongoing basis. The Company also obtains cash, letters of credit or other acceptable forms of security from customers, where appropriate, based on its financial analysis of the customer and the regulatory or contractual terms and conditions applicable to each transaction.
 
Long-term Debt.   In October 2005, the Company entered into two fixed rate senior notes. $500,000 thousand mature on November 1, 2015, and $350,000 thousand mature on November 1, 2025. Proceeds


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

from the debt issuance were used to repay the existing indebtedness and the remaining proceeds were distributed to the Company’s members.
 
Debt
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Note payable, 5.56%
  $ 500,000     $ 500,000  
Note payable, 6.19%
    350,000       350,000  
Unamortized debt discount
    (429 )     (466 )
Total debt
  $ 849,571     $ 849,534  
                 
Less current maturity
           
                 
Total Long-term portion
  $ 849,571     $ 849,534  
                 
 
8.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
General Insurance.   The Company carries, through Williams, insurance consistent with companies engaged in similar commercial operations with similar type properties. The Company’s insurance coverage includes (1) excess liability insurance for liabilities arising to third parties for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the Company’s operations; and (2) automobile liability insurance for all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles covering liabilities to third parties for bodily injury and property damage. Each owner insures their 50% ownership of the Company’s property with insurance covering the replacement value of all real and personal property damage, including damages arising from machinery breakdowns, earthquake, and flood damage. The Company has onshore business interruption/extra expense insurance. All coverages are subject to certain deductibles, terms and conditions common for companies with similar types of operations.
 
Each owner of the Company also maintains excess liability insurance coverage for their ownership interest excess of the limits for excess liability insurance maintained by the Company. Limits, terms, conditions and deductibles are comparable to those carried by other energy companies of similar size.
 
The cost of the Company’s general insurance coverages continued to fluctuate over the past year reflecting the changing conditions of the insurance markets.
 
Environmental.   The Company is subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. Management believes that there are no matters that will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
Litigation.   The Company is involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forums, regarding performance, contracts and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts. Management believes that the final disposition of these proceedings will have no material adverse effect on consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
Contractual Obligations.   The Company enters into contracts that require payment of cash at certain specified periods, based on certain specified minimum quantities and prices. The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual cash obligations for each of the periods presented. The table below excludes all amounts classified as current liabilities on the Balance Sheets, other than current maturities of long-term


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GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

debt. It is expected that the majority of current liabilities on the Balance Sheets will be paid in cash in 2006.
 
Payment Due By Period
 
                                         
          Less than
    2-3 Years
    4-5 Years
    More than
 
          1 Year
    (2008 &
    (2010 &
    5 Years
 
    Total     (2007)     2009)     2011)     (Beyond 2011)  
    (In thousands)  
 
Long-term debt
  $ 850,000     $     $     $     $ 850,000  
Operating leases
    811       419       284       108        
Material/Capital purchases(1)
    12,000       6,000       6,000              
                                         
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 862,811     $ 6,419     $ 6,284     $ 108     $ 850,000  
                                         
 
 
(1) The Company entered into a contract in which it will provide a $28,000 thousand contribution in aid of construction (“CIAC”), under the provisions of it’s FERC gas tariff, to a customer in six unequal installments through December 31, 2008. In return for the $28,000 thousand payment, the customer will construct a lateral that will connect to the Company’s mainline. The customer agreed to execute two consecutive Firm Transportation Service (“FTS”) contracts that will be used on the Company’s mainline system. These contracts combined began on June 1, 2005, and will extend through December 31, 2028. The Company has recorded an asset of $26,100 thousand which is included within Property, Plant and Equipment and a corresponding liability which is included in Other Current Liabilities and Long-term Liabilities on the Company’s Balance Sheets. Through December 31, 2006, the Company has paid $16,000 thousand to the customer pursuant to the contract.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Board of Directors
Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC
Houston, Texas
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, member’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 27, 2007


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating Revenues
                       
Salt cavern storage revenues
  $ 75,645     $ 64,667     $ 56,261  
Salt cavern storage revenues — affiliates
    308       3,564       6,787  
Other
    2,851       9,698       2,795  
                         
Total operating revenues
    78,804       77,929       65,843  
                         
Operating Expenses
                       
Operation and maintenance
    14,130       3,635       5,801  
Operation and maintenance — affiliates
    12,133       5,832       2,997  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,815       6,938       6,788  
Property and other taxes
    3,970       3,358       2,991  
                         
Total operating expenses
    38,048       19,763       18,577  
                         
Gain on Sale of Other Assets, and Other, net
    10,553       1,136       1,539  
Operating Income
    51,309       59,302       48,805  
                         
Other Income
          10       (6 )
                         
Interest Income
    11       41       30  
Interest Expense
    (2,636 )            
                         
Net Income
  $ 48,684     $ 59,353     $ 48,829  
                         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
 
ASSETS
Current Assets
               
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 12,058     $ 27,791  
Accounts receivable — affiliates
          132  
Inventory
    906       6,013  
Natural gas imbalance receivables
    5,957       29,073  
Natural gas imbalance receivables — affiliates
    39,316       79,107  
                 
Total current assets
    58,237       142,116  
                 
Other Assets
               
Advances receivable — affiliates
    94,177        
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization
    200,497       200,497  
Other assets
    67       1,211  
                 
Total other assets
    294,741       201,708  
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Cost
    370,721       315,141  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    62,523       56,331  
                 
Net property, plant and equipment
    308,198       258,810  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 661,176     $ 602,634  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 6,034     $ 714  
Accounts payable — affiliates
          516  
Accrued taxes
    1,309       930  
Natural gas imbalance payables
    43,794       108,180  
Natural gas imbalance payables — affiliates
    2,485        
Collateral liabilities
    3,631       2,290  
Collateral liabilities — affiliates
    55,000        
Other accrued liabilities
    8,019       2,272  
                 
Total current liabilities
    120,272       114,902  
                 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
               
Advances payable — affiliates
          20,511  
Other
    3       4  
Other — affiliates
    25,000        
                 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    25,003       20,515  
                 
Commitments & Contingencies
               
Paid-in capital
    290,258       276,382  
Retained earnings
    225,643       190,835  
Member’s Equity
    515,901       467,217  
                 
Total Liabilities and Member’s Equity
  $ 661,176     $ 602,634  
                 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net Income
  $ 48,684     $ 59,353     $ 48,829  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    7,815       6,938       6,788  
Gain on sale of other assets
    (10,553 )     (1,136 )     (1,539 )
(Increase) decrease in:
                       
Accounts receivable
    5,812       15,728       (36,810 )
Accounts receivable — affiliates
    132       578       128  
Inventory
    6,113       (3,137 )     (808 )
Other current assets
                260  
Other assets
    21,608       (1,085 )     330  
Increase (decrease) in:
                       
Accounts payable
    5,320       (879 )     1,593  
Accounts payable — affiliates
    (516 )     516        
Accrued taxes
    379       (506 )     (214 )
Collateral liabilities
    1,341       491       1,799  
Collateral liabilities — affiliates
    55,000              
Other accrued liabilities
    2,638       (14,587 )     22,852  
Deferred credits and other liabilities
    (2 )     4       (304 )
Deferred credits and other liabilities — affiliates
    25,000              
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    168,771       62,278       42,904  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Capital expenditures
    (54,083 )     (37,987 )     (17,000 )
Net increase in advances receivable — affiliates
    (94,177 )            
Net decrease in advances payable — affiliates
    (20,511 )     (24,291 )     (28,294 )
Proceeds on sale of other assets
                2,390  
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (168,771 )     (62,278 )     (42,904 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
                 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $     $     $  
                         
Supplemental Disclosures
                       
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 43     $     $  
Significant non-cash transactions:
                       
Gas imbalances
    62,907       61,274       1,349  
Property, plant and equipment accruals
    4,853       1,771       1,757  
Property, plant and equipment retirements
    3,348       978       7,445  
Interaccount property, plant and equipment transfers/reclasses
          2,001       11,287  
Intercompany property, plant and equipment transfers
                6,132  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBER’S EQUITY
 
         
    Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance January 1, 2004
  $ 359,035  
         
Net income
    48,829  
         
Balance December 31, 2004
  $ 407,864  
         
Net income
    59,353  
         
Balance December 31, 2005
  $ 467,217  
         
Net income
    48,684  
         
Balance December 31, 2006
  $ 515,901  
         
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements


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Table of Contents

MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
 
1.   Nature of Operations
 
In June 2006, the Board of Directors of Duke Energy Corporation (Duke Energy) authorized management to pursue a plan to create two separate publicly traded companies by spinning off Duke Energy’s natural gas business to Duke Energy shareholders. The spin-off was completed on January 2, 2007 at which time Spectra Energy Corp (Spectra Energy) became a separate publicly-traded entity. Spectra Energy primarily owns the Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services segments of Spectra Energy Capital LLC (Spectra Energy Capital), formerly Duke Capital LLC. Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC (the Company) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy.
 
The Company was converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware limited liability company on December 31, 2003. The Company was wholly owned by indirect subsidiaries of Duke Energy. The Company owns and operates two natural gas storage facilities: Moss Bluff, located near Houston, Texas and Egan, located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. These facilities provide producers, end-users, local distribution companies, pipelines and energy marketers with high deliverability storage services, as well as hub services, such as park and loan services, wheeling and title transfer. The Company’s Egan facilities are subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Moss Bluff, as a Hinshaw pipeline, must also comply with some requirements under FERC regulations.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation.   The financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. The financial statements do not include any of the assets, liabilities, revenues, or expenses of the members.
 
Consolidation.   These Consolidated Financial Statements include, after eliminating intercompany transactions and balances, the accounts of the Company and all majority - owned subsidiaries.
 
Use of Estimates.   To conform with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge at the time, actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Inventory.   Inventory primarily consists of natural gas held in storage and is recorded at the lower of cost or market value, primarily determined using the average cost method. An adjustment to inventory was recorded in 2006 as a result of a reconciliation between the physical and book balances of natural gas held in storage. This adjustment was recognized by reducing recorded inventory by $1,984 thousand, increasing natural gas imbalance payables by $1,006 thousand and charging a like amount to operation and maintenance.
 
Goodwill.   The Company evaluates the impairment of goodwill related to the purchase of the Company under the guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Under this provision, goodwill is subject to an annual test for impairment. The Company has designated August 31 as the date it performs the annual review for goodwill impairment. Impairment testing of goodwill consists of a two-step process. The first step involves a comparison of the fair value of the Company with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the company exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves a comparison of the fair value and the carrying value of the goodwill of the Company. If the carrying value of the goodwill of the Company exceeds the fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Additional impairment tests are performed between the annual reviews; if events or changes in circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of the company is below its carrying amount.


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
The Company uses a discounted cash flow analysis to determine fair value. Key assumptions in the determination of fair value include the use of an appropriate discount rate and estimated future cash flows. In estimating cash flows, the Company incorporates current market information, historical factors, and other factors into its forecasted revenue and expenses and other cash flow impacts.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment.   Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes all construction-related direct labor and material costs, as well as indirect construction costs. Indirect costs include general engineering, taxes and the cost of funds used during construction. The cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of property, plant and equipment is also capitalized. The cost of repairs, replacements and major maintenance projects, which do not extend the useful life or increase the expected output of property, plant and equipment, is expensed as it is incurred. Depreciation is generally computed over the asset’s estimated useful life using the straight-line method. The composite weighted-average depreciation rates were 3.00% for 2006, 3.01% for 2005 and 3.11% for 2004.
 
When the Company retires its regulated property, plant and equipment, it charges the original cost plus the cost of retirement, less salvage, to accumulated depreciation and amortization. When it sells entire regulated operating units, or retires or sells non-regulated properties, the cost is removed from the property account and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts are reduced. Any gain or loss is recorded as income.
 
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting For Asset Retirement Obligations” (SFAS No. 143) which was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2003 and addresses financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the related asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted for any revisions to the expected value of the retirement obligation (with corresponding adjustments to property, plant, and equipment), and for accretion of the liability due to the passage of time. Additional depreciation expense is recorded prospectively for any property, plant and equipment increases.
 
Asset retirement obligations of the Company relate primarily to right-of-way agreements, asbestos removal and contractual leases for land use. In accordance with SFAS No. 143, the Company identified certain assets that have an indeterminate life, and thus the fair value of the retirement obligation is not reasonably estimable. These assets included on-shore pipelines. A liability for these asset retirement obligations will be recorded when a fair value is determinable.
 
In March 2005, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” (FIN 47). The adoption of FIN 47 had no impact on the income of the regulated gas pipeline operations. Any effects would be offset by the establishment of regulatory assets and liabilities pursuant to SFAS No. 71.
 
Environmental Expenditures.   The Company expenses environmental expenditures related to conditions caused by past operations that do not generate current or future revenues. Environmental expenditures related to operations that generate current or future revenues are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate. Liabilities are recorded when the necessity for environmental remediation becomes probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated, or when other potential environmental liabilities are reasonably estimable and probable.


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Revenue Recognition.   Revenues on natural gas storage are recognized when the service is provided. There were no pending rate cases and no related reserves were recorded as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0 as of both December 31, 2006, and 2005.
 
Customer billings that exceeded 10% of revenues during the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
                         
    % of Consolidated Revenues
 
    Years Ended December 31,  
Customer
  2006     2005     2004  
 
Northern Indiana Public Service Co
    10.6 %     11.2 %     16.2 %
 
New Accounting Standards.   The following new accounting standards have been issued, but have not yet been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2006.
 
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157).   In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, in some cases, the application of SFAS No. 157 may change the Company’s current practice for measuring and disclosing fair values under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. For the Company, SFAS No. 157 is effective as of January 1, 2008 and must be applied prospectively except in certain cases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157, and cannot currently estimate the impact of SFAS No. 157 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
3.   Related Party Transactions
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Storage of natural gas and other services (1)
  $ 308     $ 3,564     $ 6,787  
Operation and maintenance expenses (2)
    12,133       5,832       2,997  
 
 
(1) In the normal course of business, the Company provides natural gas storage and other services to affiliates.
 
(2) Includes reimbursement of costs incurred by affiliates on behalf of the Company and allocations from Spectra Capital affiliates for various services and other costs. Affiliates charge such expenses based on the cost of actual services provided or using various allocation methodologies based on the Company’s percentage of assets, employees, earnings, or other measures, as compared to other affiliates.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
    December 31,  
    2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
 
Accounts receivable
  $     $ 132  
Natural gas imbalance receivables
    39,316       79,107  
Accounts payable
          516  
Natural gas imbalance payables
    2,485        
Collateral liabilities
    55,000        
Other
    25,000        


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Advances receivable and payable-affiliates do not bear interest. Advances are carried as unsecured, open accounts and are not segregated between current and non-current amounts. Increases and decreases in advances generally result from the movement of funds to provide for operations and capital expenditures of the Company.
 
During 2006 in accordance with the Company’s credit policies, the Company received an $80,000 thousand security deposit from an affiliate, associated with natural gas imbalance receivables from the affiliate. The Company is required to pay a market rate of interest on the security deposit. Of the $80,000 thousand balance, $55,000 thousand is classified as a current liability with $25,000 thousand classified as long term since it relates to a contract position that is not expected to be repaid until April 2008.
 
4.   Gas Imbalances
 
The Consolidated Balance Sheets include in-kind balances as a result of differences in gas volumes received and delivered for customers. Since the settlement of imbalances is in-kind, changes in the balances do not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Natural gas volumes owed to (by) the Company are valued at natural gas market index prices as of the balance sheet dates.
 
5.   Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
                     
    Estimated
  December 31,  
    Useful Life   2006     2005  
        (In thousands)  
 
Land
  N/A   $ 12,415     $ 12,415  
Salt Cavern Storage facilities
  15-40 years     312,787       272,082  
                     
Equipment
  10-40 years     221       217  
Vehicles
  5 years     115       133  
                     
Constructions in process
  N/A     42,583       28,179  
Other
  5 years     2,600       2,115  
Total property, plant and equipment
        370,721       315,141  
Total accumulated depreciation
        (62,523 )     (56,331 )
Total net property, plant and equipment
      $ 308,198     $ 258,810  
                     
 
6.   Credit Risk
 
Credit Risk.   The Company markets high deliverability natural gas storage services and hub services to pipelines, local distribution companies, producers, end-users, power generators, and energy marketers. The Company has concentrations of receivables from these industries throughout these regions. These concentrations of customers may affect the Company’s overall credit risk in that risk factors can negatively impact the credit quality of the entire sector. Where exposed to credit risk, the Company analyzes the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establishes credit limits and monitors the appropriateness of those limits on an ongoing basis. The Company also obtains cash, letters of credit or other acceptable forms of security from customers, where appropriate, based on its financial analysis of the customer and the regulatory or contractual terms and conditions applicable to each transaction.
 
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
General Insurance.   The Company carries, through a Duke Energy Affiliate, insurance and reinsurance coverages consistent with companies engaged in similar commercial operations with similar type properties.


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MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, LLC
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company’s insurance coverage includes (1) commercial general public liability insurance for liabilities arising to third parties for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the Company’s operations; (2) workers’ compensation liability coverage to required statutory limits; (3) automobile liability insurance for all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles covering liabilities to third parties for bodily injury and property damage, (4) financial services insurance policies in support of the indemnification provisions of the Company’s by-laws and (5) property insurance covering the replacement value of all real and personal property damage, including damages arising from machinery breakdowns, earthquake, flood damage and business interruption/extra expense. All coverages are subject to certain deductibles, terms and conditions common for companies with similar types of operations.
 
The Company also maintains, through an affiliate, excess liability insurance coverage above the established primary limits for commercial general liability and automobile liability insurance. Limits, terms, conditions and deductibles are comparable to those carried by other energy companies of similar size. The cost of the Company’s general insurance coverages continued to fluctuate over the past year reflecting the changing conditions of the insurance markets.
 
Environmental.   The Company is subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. Management believes there are no matters that will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
 
Litigation.   The Company is involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts. Management believes that the final disposition of these proceedings will have no material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
Leases.   The Company leases assets in several areas of operations. Rental expense for these leases, including amounts allocated from Duke Energy affiliates, was $377 thousand for 2006, $311 thousand for 2005 and $35 thousand for 2004.


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Appendix A
 
 
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 


A-1


Table of Contents

 
 
 
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
  1
Section  1.1
  Definitions   1
Section  1.2
  Construction   16
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION
  16
Section  2.1
  Formation   16
Section  2.2
  Name   16
Section  2.3
  Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices   16
Section  2.4
  Purpose and Business   17
Section  2.5
  Powers   17
Section  2.6
  Power of Attorney   17
Section  2.7
  Term   18
Section  2.8
  Title to Partnership Assets   18
ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
  19
Section  3.1
  Limitation of Liability   19
Section  3.2
  Management of Business   19
Section  3.3
  Outside Activities of the Limited Partners   19
Section  3.4
  Rights of Limited Partners   19
ARTICLE IV CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
  20
Section  4.1
  Certificates   20
Section  4.2
  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates   20
Section  4.3
  Record Holders   21
Section  4.4
  Transfer Generally   21
Section  4.5
  Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests   21
Section  4.6
  Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest   22
Section  4.7
  Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights   23
Section  4.8
  Restrictions on Transfers   23
Section  4.9
  Tax Certifications; Ineligible Assignees; Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees   24
Section  4.10
  Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen and Ineligible Assignees   25
ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
  26
Section  5.1
  Organizational Contributions   26
Section  5.2
  Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates   26
Section  5.3
  Contributions by Initial Limited Partners   27
Section  5.4
  Interest and Withdrawal   27
Section  5.5
  Capital Accounts   27
Section  5.6
  Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities   29
Section  5.7
  Conversion of Subordinated Units   30
Section  5.8
  Limited Preemptive Right   31
Section  5.9
  Splits and Combinations   31
Section  5.10
  Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests   31
Section  5.11
  Issuance of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights   31


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Table of Contents

                 
ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
  33
Section  6.1
  Allocations for Capital Account Purposes   33
Section  6.2
  Allocations for Tax Purposes   39
Section  6.3
  Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders   41
Section  6.4
  Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus   41
Section  6.5
  Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus   42
Section  6.6
  Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels   43
Section  6.7
  Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units and Class B Units   43
Section  6.8
  Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights   44
Section  6.9
  Entity-Level Taxation   44
ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
  45
Section  7.1
  Management   45
Section  7.2
  Certificate of Limited Partnership   46
Section  7.3
  Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority   46
Section  7.4
  Reimbursement of the General Partner   47
Section  7.5
  Outside Activities   48
Section  7.6
  Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members   48
Section  7.7
  Indemnification   49
Section  7.8
  Liability of Indemnitees   50
Section  7.9
  Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties   50
Section  7.10
  Other Matters Concerning the General Partner   52
Section  7.11
  Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities   52
Section  7.12
  Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates   52
Section  7.13
  Reliance by Third Parties   55
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
  55
Section  8.1
  Records and Accounting   55
Section  8.2
  Fiscal Year   56
Section  8.3
  Reports   56
ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS
  56
Section  9.1
  Tax Returns and Information   56
Section  9.2
  Tax Elections   56
Section  9.3
  Tax Controversies   56
Section  9.4
  Withholding   57
ARTICLE X ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
  57
Section  10.1
  Admission of Initial Limited Partners   57
Section  10.2
  Admission of Substituted Limited Partners   57
Section  10.3
  Admission of Successor General Partner   58
Section  10.4
  Admission of Additional Limited Partners   58
Section  10.5
  Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership   58


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Table of Contents

                 
ARTICLE XI WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
  58
Section  11.1
  Withdrawal of the General Partner   58
Section  11.2
  Removal of the General Partner   59
Section  11.3
  Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner   60
Section  11.4
  Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages   61
Section  11.5
  Withdrawal of Limited Partners   61
ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
  61
Section  12.1
  Dissolution   61
Section  12.2
  Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution   62
Section  12.3
  Liquidator   62
Section  12.4
  Liquidation   63
Section  12.5
  Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership   63
Section  12.6
  Return of Contributions   63
Section  12.7
  Waiver of Partition   64
Section  12.8
  Capital Account Restoration   64
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
  64
Section  13.1
  Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner   64
Section  13.2
  Amendment Procedures   65
Section  13.3
  Amendment Requirements   65
Section  13.4
  Special Meetings   66
Section  13.5
  Notice of a Meeting   66
Section  13.6
  Record Date   66
Section  13.7
  Adjournment   66
Section  13.8
  Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting   67
Section  13.9
  Quorum and Voting   67
Section  13.10
  Conduct of a Meeting   67
Section  13.11
  Action Without a Meeting   67
Section  13.12
  Right to Vote and Related Matters   68
ARTICLE XIV MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
  68
Section  14.1
  Authority   68
Section  14.2
  Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion   68
Section  14.3
  Approval by Limited Partners   70
Section  14.4
  Certificate of Merger   71
Section  14.5
  Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion   71
ARTICLE XV RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
  71
Section  15.1.
  Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests   71


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Table of Contents

                 
ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS
  72
Section  16.1
  Addresses and Notices; Written Communications   72
Section  16.2
  Further Action   73
Section  16.3
  Binding Effect   73
Section  16.4
  Integration   73
Section  16.5
  Creditors   73
Section  16.6
  Waiver   73
Section  16.7
  Third-Party Beneficiaries   73
Section  16.8
  Counterparts   73
Section  16.9
  Applicable Law   74
Section  16.10
  Invalidity of Provisions   74
Section  16.11
  Consent of Partners   74
Section  16.12
  Facsimile Signatures   74


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FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP dated as of          , 2007, is entered into by and between Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as the General Partner, and Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Organizational Limited Partner” ), together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
 
ARTICLE I
 
DEFINITIONS
 
Section  1.1   Definitions.
 
The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
 
“Acquisition” means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.
 
“Additional Book Basis” means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:
 
(a) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.
 
(b) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided, that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (b) to such Book-Down Event).
 
“Additional Book Basis Derivative Items” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “Excess Additional Book Basis”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period.
 
“Additional Limited Partner” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.4 and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.
 
“Adjusted Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the


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amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Unit, a Common Unit, a Subordinated Unit, a Class B Unit or an Incentive Distribution Right or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Class B Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Class B Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
 
“Adjusted Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period, Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period (a) less any net decrease in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such period, and (b) plus (i) any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures initially established with respect to such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (a) above and (ii) any net increase in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus.
 
“Adjusted Property” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).
 
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
 
“Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.
 
“Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.
 
“Agreed Allocation” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).
 
“Agreed Value” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.
 
“Agreement” means this First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
 
“Assignee” means a Person to whom one or more Limited Partner Interests have been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement and who has executed and delivered a Transfer Application, including a Taxation Certification, as required by this Agreement, but who has not been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner.


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“Associate” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.
 
“Available Cash” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
 
(a) the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter, less
 
(b) the amount of any cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures, for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group and for refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing relating to FERC rate proceedings) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided, however, that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all Common Units, with respect to such Quarter; and, provided further, that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
 
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors or managers of a corporation or limited liability company or the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of a limited partnership, as applicable.
 
“Book Basis Derivative Items” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss included in the determination of Net Income or Net Loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).
 
“Book-Down Event” means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
 
“Book-Tax Disparity” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.
 
“Book-Up Event” means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).


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“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
 
“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Unit, a Common Unit, a Subordinated Unit, a Class B Unit, an Incentive Distribution Right or any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Class B Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Class B Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
 
“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership.
 
“Capital Improvement” means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member, (b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, pipelines and other storage, distribution or transportation facilities and related or similar assets or other assets that produce “qualifying income” as defined by Section 7704 of the Code) or (c) capital contributions by a Group Member to a Person in which a Group Member has an equity interest to fund such Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, pipelines and other storage, distribution or transportation facilities and related or similar assets or other assets that produce “qualifying income” as defined by Section 7704 of the Code) by such Person, in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase the operating capacity, revenues or cash flow of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the case of clause (c), from the operating capacity, revenues or cash flow of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
 
“Capital Surplus” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).
 
“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ and Assignees’ Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.5(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.
 
“Cause” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.
 
“Certificate” means (a) a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement, (ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or (b) a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Securities.
 
“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
 
“Citizenship Certification” means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General Partner by which a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.
 
“claim” (as used in Section 7.12(d)) has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(d).


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“Class B Units” means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class B Units in this Agreement.
 
“Closing Date” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
 
“Closing Price” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq National Market) on which the respective Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq National Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.
 
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.
 
“Combined Interest” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).
 
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
“Commodity Hedge Contract” means any commodity exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of hedging the Partnership Group’s exposure to fluctuations in the price of hydrocarbons.
 
“Common Unit” means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not include a Subordinated Unit or Class B Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.
 
“Common Unit Arrearage” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, as to any Quarter within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i).
 
“Conflicts Committee” means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not a security holder, officer or employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner, (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the Partnership Group other than Common Units and (d) meets the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading.
 
“Contributed Property” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.
 
“Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution and Conveyance Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and certain other


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parties, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
 
“Converted Common Units” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x)(B).
 
“Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum resulting from adding together the Common Unit Arrearage as to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters within the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section 6.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last of such Quarters).
 
“Curative Allocation” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).
 
“Current Market Price” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.
 
“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
 
“Departing General Partner” means a former general partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former general partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2.
 
“Depositary” means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.
 
“Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).
 
“Eligible Citizen” means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions in which any Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose status as a Limited Partner the General Partner determines does not or would not subject such Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or any interest therein.
 
“Eligible Holder” means a Person either (a) subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership or (b) in the case of entities that are pass-through entities for United States federal income taxation, all of whose beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. Schedule I to the Transfer Application provides examples of Persons that are and Persons that are not Eligible Holders.
 
“Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
 
“Event of Withdrawal” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).
 
“Expansion Capital Expenditures” means cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements, and shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures.
 
“FERC” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 
“Final Subordinated Units” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x).
 
“First Liquidation Target Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).
 
“First Target Distribution” means $0.3594 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on [June 30], 2007, it means the product of $0.3594 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and of which the denominator is 91), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
 
“Fully Diluted Basis” means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that includes, in addition to the Outstanding Units, all Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership (a) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated Units, (b) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such


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calculation, (c) that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (d) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation is being made; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units on a Fully Diluted Basis when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, such Partnership Securities, options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided, further, that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (i) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (ii) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.
 
“General Partner” means Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).
 
“General Partner Interest” means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), which is evidenced by General Partner Units, and includes any and all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
 
“General Partner Unit” means a fractional part of the General Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the General Partner Interest. A General Partner Unit is not a Unit.
 
“Group” means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.
 
“Group Member” means a member of the Partnership Group.
 
“Group Member Agreement” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
 
“Holder” as used in Section 7.12, has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).
 
“IDR Reset Election” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.
 
“Incentive Distribution Right” means a non-voting Limited Partner Interest issued to the General Partner, which Limited Partner Interest will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights and obligations specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law.
 
“Incentive Distributions” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii) and 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v).


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“Incremental Income Taxes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
 
“Indemnified Persons” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(d).
 
“Indemnitee” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement.
 
“Ineligible Assignee” means a Person whom the General Partner has determined is not an Eligible Holder.
 
“Initial Common Units” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
 
“Initial Limited Partners” means the Organizational Limited Partner, Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. and the General Partner (with respect to the Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights received by them pursuant to Section 5.2) and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.
 
“Initial Offering” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.
 
“Initial Unit Price” means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
 
“Interim Capital Transactions” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option); (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; (d) the termination of interest rate swap agreements or Commodity Hedge Contracts prior to the termination date specified therein; (e) capital contributions received; or (f) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
 
“Issue Price” means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, net of any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.
 
“Limited Partner” means, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each Substituted Limited Partner, each Additional Limited Partner and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as limited partner of the Partnership or (b) solely for purposes of Articles V, VI, VII, IX and XII, each Assignee; provided, however, that when the term “Limited Partner” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right (solely with respect to its Incentive Distribution Rights and not with respect to any other Limited Partner Interest held by such Person) except as may be required by law.


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“Limited Partner Interest” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner or Assignee in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner or Assignee is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner or Assignee to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that when the term “Limited Partner Interest” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Incentive Distribution Right except as may be required by law.
 
“Limited Partner Unit” means each of the Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units and other Units representing fractional parts of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees.
 
“Liquidation Date” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
 
“Liquidator” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.
 
“Maintenance Capital Expenditures” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets) if such expenditures are made to maintain, including over the long term, the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group.
 
“Merger Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.
 
“Minimum Quarterly Distribution” means $0.3125 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on [June 30], 2007, it means the product of $0.3125 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 91), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
 
“National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and any successor to such statute.
 
“Net Agreed Value” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner or Assignee by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner or Assignee upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code[, and (c) in the case of a contribution of Common Units by the General Partner to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 5.2(b), an amount per Common Unit contributed equal to the Current Market Price per Common Unit as of the date of the contribution].
 
“Net Income” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.
 
“Net Loss” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such


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taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.
 
“Net Positive Adjustments” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.
 
“Net Termination Gain” means, for any taxable year, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
 
“Net Termination Loss” means, for any taxable year, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
 
“Non-citizen Assignee” means a Person whom the General Partner has determined does not constitute an Eligible Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become the substituted limited partner, pursuant to Section 4.9.
 
“Nonrecourse Built-in Gain” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A), 6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.
 
“Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.
 
“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
 
“Notice of Election to Purchase” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).
 
“Omnibus Agreement” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among Spectra Energy Corp., the General Partner and the Partnership, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
 
“Operating Expenditures” means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, interest payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate swap agreements and Commodity Hedge Contracts, Maintenance Capital Expenditures, non-Pro Rata repurchases of Units (other than those made with the proceeds of an Interim Capital Transaction), subject to the following:
 
(a) payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and
 
(b) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions or (iii) distributions to Partners. Where capital expenditures consist of both Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures, the General Partner, with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee, shall determine the allocation between the portion consisting of Maintenance Capital Expenditures and the portion consisting of Expansion Capital Expenditures.
 
“Operating Partnership” means Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.


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“Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,
 
(a) the sum of (i) an amount equal to two times the amount needed for any one Quarter for the Partnership to pay a distribution on all Units, the General Partner Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights at the same per Unit amount as was distributed immediately preceding the date of determination (or with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on [June 30], 2007, it means the product of (x) $0.625 multiplied by (y) a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is 91 multiplied by (z) the number of Units and General Partner Units Outstanding on the Record Date with respect to such period), and (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions (except to the extent specified in Section 6.5 and provided that cash receipts from the termination of a Commodity Hedge Contract or interest rate swap prior to its specified termination date shall be included in Operating Surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Commodity Hedge Contract or interest rate swap), less
 
(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; provided, however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
 
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.
 
“Option Closing Date” means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
 
“Organizational Limited Partner” means Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
 
“Outstanding” means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Units so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Securities for purposes of this Agreement); provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates, (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the General Partner.


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“Over-Allotment Option” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
 
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
 
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
 
“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.
 
“Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
 
“Partnership” means Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
 
“Partnership Group” means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single consolidated entity.
 
“Partnership Interest” means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests.
 
“Partnership Minimum Gain” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
 
“Partnership Security” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units, General Partner Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.
 
“Per Unit Capital Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any Unit held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.
 
“Percentage Interest” means as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner with respect to General Partner Units and as to any Unitholder or Assignee holding Units, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of General Partner Units held by the General Partner or the number of Units held by such Unitholder or Assignee, as the case may be, by (B) the total number of all Outstanding Units and General Partner Units, and (b) as to the holders of other Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right shall at all times be zero.
 
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
 
“Pro Rata” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners and Assignees or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners and Assignees or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned equally among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder.
 
“Purchase Date” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.
 
“Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership which includes the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.
 
“Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or


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asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.
 
“Record Date” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.
 
“Record Holder” means the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or with respect to other Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.
 
“Redeemable Interests” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.
 
“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141687) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.
 
“Remaining Net Positive Adjustments” means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Class B Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units, Class B Units or Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General Partner’s Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Units for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.
 
“Required Allocations” means (a) any limitation imposed on any allocation of Net Losses or Net Termination Losses under Section 6.1(b) or Section 6.1(c)(ii) and (b) any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section 6.1(d)(ix).
 
“Residual Gain” or “Residual Loss” means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(i)(A) or Section 6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
 
“Reset MQD” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.
 
“Reset Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.
 
“Retained Converted Subordinated Unit” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5(c)(ii).
 
“Second Liquidation Target Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(F).
 
“Second Target Distribution” means $0.3906 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on [June 30], 2007, it means the product of $0.3906 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 91), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6 and Section 6.9.
 
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.


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“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
 
“Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Class B Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.
 
“Special Approval” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
 
“Subordinated Unit” means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term “Subordinated Unit” does not include a Common Unit or Class B Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.
 
“Subordination Period” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first to occur of:
 
(a) the first day of any Quarter beginning after June 30, 2010 in respect of which (i)(A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units during such periods and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Basis and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages;
 
(b) the first date on which there are no longer outstanding any Subordinated Units due to the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7 or otherwise; and
 
(c) the date on which the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership upon the requisite vote by holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal.
 
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof,


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directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.
 
“Substituted Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2 in place of and with all the rights of a Limited Partner and who is shown as a Limited Partner on the books and records of the Partnership.
 
“Surviving Business Entity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).
 
“Target Distribution” means, collectively, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution.
 
“Taxation Certification” means a properly completed certificate in such form or forms as may be specified by the General Partner by which a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Holder and includes a Transfer Application containing such a certification.
 
“Third Liquidation Target Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(G).
 
“Third Target Distribution” means $0.4688 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on [June 30], 2007, it means the product of $0.4688 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 91), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
 
“Trading Day” means, for the purpose of determining the Current Market Price of any class of Limited Partner Interests, a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests are listed is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
 
“transfer” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).
 
“Transfer Agent” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the General Partner to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units; provided, that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any other Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
 
“Transfer Application” means an application and agreement for transfer of Units in the form set forth on the back of a Certificate or in a form substantially to the same effect in a separate instrument.
 
“Underwriter” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
 
“Underwriting Agreement” means that certain Underwriting Agreement dated as of          , 2007 among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner and the other parties thereto, providing for the purchase of Common Units by the Underwriters.
 
“Unit” means a Partnership Security that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units, Class B Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i) General Partner Units (or the General Partner Interest represented thereby) or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
 
“Unit Majority” means (i) during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), voting as a class, and at least a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting as a class, and (ii) after the end of the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Class B Units, if any, voting as a single class.
 
“Unitholders” means the holders of Units.
 
“Unpaid MQD” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).
 
“Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as


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determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).
 
“Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).
 
“Unrecovered Initial Unit Price” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.
 
“U.S. GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
 
“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(b).
 
Section  1.2   Construction.
 
Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof”, “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
 
ARTICLE II
 
ORGANIZATION
 
Section  2.1   Formation.
 
The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and hereby amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.
 
Section  2.2   Name.
 
The name of the Partnership shall be “Spectra Energy Partners, LP”. The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “LP,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
 
Section  2.3   Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices
 
Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at [1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801], and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at


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5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner shall determine necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.
 
Section  2.4   Purpose and Business.
 
The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may, in its individual capacity, decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any Assignee and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.
 
Section  2.5   Powers.
 
The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary or appropriate for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
 
Section  2.6   Power of Attorney.
 
(a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:
 
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, Article X, Article XI or Article XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and


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(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.
 
Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.
 
(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by, the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator may request in order to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
 
Section  2.7   Term.
 
The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.
 
Section  2.8   Title to Partnership Assets.
 
Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner or Assignee, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.


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ARTICLE III
 
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
 
Section  3.1   Limitation of Liability.
 
The Limited Partners and the Assignees shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
 
Section  3.2   Management of Business.
 
No Limited Partner or Assignee, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.
 
Section  3.3   Outside Activities of the Limited Partners.
 
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5, any Limited Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners or Assignees shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.
 
Section  3.4   Rights of Limited Partners.
 
(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:
 
(i) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership;
 
(ii) promptly after its becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;
 
(iii) to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;
 
(iv) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;
 
(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and that each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and
 
(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.
 
(b) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners and Assignees, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by


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agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).
 
ARTICLE IV
 
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;
REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
 
Section  4.1   Certificates.
 
Upon the Partnership’s issuance of Common Units, Subordinated Units or Class B Units to any Person, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued. In addition, (a) upon the General Partner’s request, the Partnership shall issue to it one or more Certificates in the name of the General Partner evidencing its General Partner Units and (b) upon the request of any Person owning Incentive Distribution Rights or any other Partnership Securities other than Common Units, Subordinated Units or Class B Units, the Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more certificates evidencing such Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities other than Common Units, Subordinated Units or Class B Units. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however, that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.7(c) and Section 6.7(e), the Partners holding Certificates evidencing Subordinated Units may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common Units on or after the date on which such Subordinated Units are converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.7. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.7(e), the Partners holding Certificates evidencing Class B Units may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common Units on or after the period set forth in Section 5.11(f) pursuant to the terms of Section 5.11.
 
Section  4.2   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
 
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) or the General Partner (for Partnership Securities other than Common Units), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) or the General Partner (for Partnership Securities other than Common Units) shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.
 
(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
 
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
 
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
 
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
 
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.


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If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner or Assignee shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
 
(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
 
Section  4.3   Record Holders.
 
The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner or Assignee with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person (a) shall be the Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) of record and beneficially, and (b) shall be bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) hereunder and as, and to the extent, provided for herein.
 
Section  4.4   Transfer Generally.
 
(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Units to another Person or by which a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest (other than an Incentive Distribution Right) assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner or an Assignee, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.
 
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.
 
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner.
 
Section  4.5   Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
 
(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Units and transfers of such Common Units as herein provided. The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the


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designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
 
(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.9, the General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer and such Certificates are accompanied by a Transfer Application, properly completed and including a Taxation Certification, duly executed by the transferee (or the transferee’s attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing). No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto. No distributions or allocations will be made in respect of the Limited Partner Interests until a properly completed Transfer Application has been delivered.
 
(c) Limited Partner Interests may be transferred only in the manner described in this Section 4.5. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.
 
(d) Until admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.2, the Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest shall be an Assignee in respect of such Limited Partner Interest. Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity.
 
(e) A transferee of a Limited Partner Interest who has completed and delivered a Transfer Application shall be deemed to have (i) requested admission as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii) agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed this Agreement, (iii) represented and warranted that such transferee has the right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity to enter into this Agreement, (iv) granted the powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement, and (v) given the consents and approvals and made the waivers contained in this Agreement.
 
(f) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Subordinated Units, Class B Units and Common Units (whether issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more Persons.
 
Section  4.6   Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.
 
(a) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to June 30, 2017, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into such other Person or the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person.
 
(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after June 30, 2017, the General Partner may transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.
 
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest of the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.3, be admitted to


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the Partnership as the General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.
 
Section  4.7   Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.
 
Prior to June 30, 2017, a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of the Incentive Distribution Rights held by such holder without any consent of the Unitholders to (a) an Affiliate of such holder (other than an individual) or (b) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with (i) the merger or consolidation of such holder of Incentive Distribution Rights with or into such other Person, (ii) the transfer by such holder of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person or (iii) the sale of all the ownership interests in such holder. Any other transfer of the Incentive Distribution Rights prior to June 30, 2017 shall require the prior approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). On or after June 30, 2017, the General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the transfer of Class B Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11, or the transfer of Common Units issued upon conversion of the Class B Units, shall not be treated as a transfer of all or any part of the Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) no transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
 
Section  4.8   Restrictions on Transfers.
 
(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(e) below, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
 
(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.
 
(c) The transfer of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(c).
 
(d) The transfer of a Class B Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(e).
 
(e) Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
 
(f) Each certificate evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form:
 
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE


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OR QUALIFICATION OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
 
Section  4.9   Tax Certifications; Ineligible Assignees; Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees.
 
(a) If a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest fails to furnish a properly completed Taxation Certification in a Transfer Application or if, upon receipt of such Taxation Certification or otherwise, the General Partner determines that such transferee is not an Eligible Holder, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such transferee shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10.
 
(b) The General Partner may request any Limited Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Taxation Certification or such other information concerning his federal income tax status with respect to the income and loss generated by the Partnership (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the federal income tax status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Taxation Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Taxation Certification or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Holder, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status of any such Limited Partner or Assignee be changed to that of an Ineligible Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Ineligible Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of the Ineligible Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.
 
(c) If any Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that the General Partner determines would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner or Assignee, the General Partner may request any Limited Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status of any such Limited Partner or Assignee be changed to that of a Non-citizen Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Non-citizen Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.
 
(d) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees or Ineligible Assignees, distribute the votes in the same ratios as


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the votes of Partners (including the General Partner) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Non-citizen Assignees or Ineligible Assignees are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.
 
(e) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Non-citizen Assignee’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Non-citizen Assignee of his Limited Partner Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind).
 
(f) At any time after an Ineligible Assignee can and does certify that it has become an Eligible Holder, such Ineligible Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Ineligible Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, and upon admission of such Ineligible Assignee pursuant to Section 10.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of such Ineligible Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.
 
(g) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Citizen, a Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Non-citizen Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, and upon admission of such Non-citizen Assignee pursuant to Section 10.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.
 
Section  4.10   Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen and Ineligible Assignees.
 
(a) If at any time a Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee fails to furnish a Citizenship Certification, Taxation Certification or other information requested within the 30-day period specified in Section 4.9(b) or 4.9(c) or in a Transfer Application, or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification, Taxation Certification, Transfer Application or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee is not an Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee is an Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be, or has transferred his Partnership Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be, and who furnishes a Citizenship Certification or Taxation Certificate, as the case may be, to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee as follows:
 
(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which such person would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.
 
(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed and (ii) the price paid for such Limited Partner Interests by the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.


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(iii) Upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee, at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank, the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment therefor.
 
(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.
 
(b) The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner or Assignee as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be.
 
(c) Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that he is an Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.
 
ARTICLE V
 
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
 
Section  5.1   Organizational Contributions.
 
In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $60.00, for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $2,940.00 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, the interest of the Organizational Limited Partner shall be redeemed as provided in the Contribution Agreement; and the initial Capital Contribution of the Organizational Limited Partner shall thereupon be refunded. Ninety-eight percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contribution shall be allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the balance thereof shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.
 
Section  5.2   Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates.
 
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement: (i) the General Partner shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its interest in Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC, in exchange for (A)            General Partner Units representing a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest, subject to all of the rights, privileges and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement, (B)            Common Units, (C) the Incentive Distribution Rights and (D) the right to receive $      million; (ii) Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its interest in Spectra Energy Partners MHP Holdings, LLC, in exchange for (A)            Common Units, (B)            Subordinated Units and (C) the right to receive $      million; and (iii) Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its interest in Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC and East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC, in exchange for (A)           Common Units and (B)            Subordinated Units.
 
(b) Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than the Common Units issued in the Initial Offering, the Common Units issued pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option, the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued pursuant to Section 5.2(a), any Class B Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 and any Common Units issued upon conversion of Class B Units), the General Partner may, in exchange for a proportionate number of General Partner Units, make additional


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Capital Contributions in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (B) 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (ii) the amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests. Except as set forth in Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.
 
Section  5.3   Contributions by Initial Limited Partners.
 
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.
 
(b) Upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter shall contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Option Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit. Upon receipt by the Partnership of the Capital Contributions from the Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b), the Partnership shall use such cash to redeem from [the General Partner or its Affiliates] that number of Common Units held by [the General Partner or its Affiliates] equal to the number of Common Units (rounded down to the nearest whole number) issued to the Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b).
 
(c) No Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the Common Units issuable pursuant to subparagraph (a) hereof in aggregate number equal to          , (ii) the “Option Units” as such term is used in the Underwriting Agreement in an aggregate number up to           issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to subparagraph (b) hereof, (iii) the           Common Units and           Subordinated Units issuable pursuant to Section 5.2(a) hereof and (iv) the Incentive Distribution Rights.
 
Section  5.4   Interest and Withdrawal.
 
No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners or Assignees agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.
 
Section  5.5   Capital Accounts.
 
(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest


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and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.
 
(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction which is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:
 
(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing, organizational or similar documents) of all property owned by any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner.
 
(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.
 
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.
 
(iv) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.
 
(v) In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.
 
(vi) If the Partnership’s adjusted basis in a depreciable or cost recovery property is reduced for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 48(q)(1) or 48(q)(3) of the Code, the amount of such reduction shall, solely for purposes hereof, be deemed to be an additional depreciation or cost recovery deduction in the year such property is placed in service and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1. Any restoration of such basis pursuant to Section 48(q)(2) of the Code shall, to the extent possible, be allocated in the same manner to the Partners to whom such deemed deduction was allocated.
 
(c) (i) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.
 
(ii) Subject to Section 6.7(c), immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit or of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 by a holder thereof


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(other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units (“Retained Converted Subordinated Units”) . Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.
 
(d) (i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time. The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.
 
(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized in a sale of such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated to the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.
 
Section  5.6   Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities.
 
(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
 
(b) Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in


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Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Security.
 
(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance of Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11 and the conversion of Class B Units into Common Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iv) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection with the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed or admitted to trading.
 
(d) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.
 
Section  5.7   Conversion of Subordinated Units.
 
(a) All of the Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the second Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of the final Quarter of the Subordination Period.
 
(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.7(a) above, the Subordination Period shall terminate and all Outstanding Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the second Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter ending on or after [June 30], 2008 in respect of which:
 
(i) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus under Section 6.4 in respect of all Outstanding Common Units. Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Third Target Distribution on all of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units during such period;
 
(ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Third Target Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such period on a Fully Diluted Basis; and
 
(iii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
 
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all the then Outstanding Subordinated Units will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis as set forth in, and pursuant to the terms of, Section 11.4.


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(d) A Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c).
 
Section  5.8   Limited Preemptive Right.
 
Except as provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Securities.
 
Section  5.9   Splits and Combinations.
 
(a) Subject to Section 5.9(d), Section 6.6 and Section 6.9 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units (including the number of Subordinated Units that may convert prior to the end of the Subordination Period) are proportionately adjusted.
 
(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
 
(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.
 
(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).
 
Section  5.10   Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.
 
All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.
 
Section  5.11   Issuance of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights.
 
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.11, the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when there are no Subordinated Units outstanding and the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the amount of each such distribution did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such Quarter, to make an election (the “IDR Reset Election” ) to cause the


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Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number of Class B Units derived by dividing (i) the average amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the number of Class B Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the “Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units” ). Upon the issuance of such Class B Units, the Partnership will issue to the General Partner that number of additional General Partner Units equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner immediately prior to such issuance by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less such Percentage Interest by (y) the number of such Class B Units, and the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for such issuance. The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in Section 5.11(b) shall cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive Class B Units and General Partner Units on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders, at the time specified in Section 5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section 5.11(d).
 
(b) To exercise the right specified in Section 5.11(a), the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the “Reset Notice” ) to the Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of such Reset Notice, as the case may be, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnership’s determination of the aggregate number of Class B Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.
 
(c) The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units and related additional General Partner Units on the fifteenth Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice, and the Partnership shall issue Certificates for the Class B Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights; provided, however, that the issuance of Class B Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading of the Common Units into which the Class B Units are convertible pursuant to Section 5.11(f) by the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange.
 
(d) If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded have not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Common Units into which the Class B Units are convertible pursuant to Section 5.11(f) on or before the 30th calendar day following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Securities having such terms as the General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units would have had at the time of the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion of such Partnership Securities into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).


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(e) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of Common Units or other Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset to equal to the average cash distribution amount per Common Unit for the two Quarters immediately prior to the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice (the “Reset MQD” ), (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal to 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150% of the Reset MQD.
 
(f) Any holder of Class B Units shall have the right to elect, by giving written notice to the General Partner, to convert all or a portion of the Class B Units held by such holder, at any time following the first anniversary of the issuance of such Class B Units, into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, such conversion to be effective on the second Business Day following the General Partner’s receipt of such written notice.
 
ARTICLE VI
 
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
Section  6.1   Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.
 
For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.
 
(a)  Net Income .   After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable year shall be allocated as follows:
 
(i) First, 100% to the General Partner, in an amount equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable years until the aggregate Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable years;
 
(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Income allocated to such Partners pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable years; and
 
(iii) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
 
(b)  Net Losses .   After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Losses for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:
 
(i) First, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Losses allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Income allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(iii) for all previous taxable years, provided that the Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);
 
(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests; provided, that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(ii) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit


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balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and
 
(iii) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
 
(c)  Net Termination Gains and Losses .   After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated in the same manner as such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss is allocated hereunder. All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided, however, that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.
 
(i) If a Net Termination Gain is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner (and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be increased by the amount so allocated in each of the following subclauses, in the order listed, before an allocation is made pursuant to the next succeeding subclause):
 
(A) First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Capital Account;
 
(B) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Unpaid MQD” ) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;
 
(C) Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Class B Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Class B Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (C), until the Capital Account in respect of each Class B Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Class B Unit for such Quarter;
 
(D) Fourth, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (D), until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable year (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;
 
(E) Fifth, 100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating


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Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iv) and Section 6.4(b)(ii) (the sum of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is hereinafter defined as the “First Liquidation Target Amount” );
 
(F) Sixth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of this clause (F), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(v) and Section 6.4(b)(iii) (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Second Liquidation Target Amount” );
 
(G) Seventh, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of this clause (G), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(vi) and Section 6.4(b)(iv) (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Third Liquidation Target Amount” ); and
 
(H) Finally, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of this clause (H).
 
(ii) If a Net Termination Loss is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner:
 
(A) First, if such Net Termination Loss is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (A), until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;
 
(B) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Class B Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B) until the Capital Account in respect of each Class B Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;
 
(C) Third, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B) until the Capital Account in respect of each Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and
 
(D) Fourth, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
 
(d)  Special Allocations .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:
 
(i)  Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation


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pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
 
(ii)  Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain.   Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
 
(iii)  Priority Allocations.
 
(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) to any Unitholder with respect to its Units for a taxable year is greater (on a per Unit basis) than the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed to the other Unitholders with respect to their Units (on a per Unit basis), then (1) there shall be allocated income and gain to each Unitholder receiving such greater cash or property distribution until the aggregate amount of such items allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the product of (aa) the amount by which the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to such Unitholder exceeds the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to the Unitholders receiving the smallest distribution and (bb) the number of Units owned by the Unitholder receiving the greater distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated income and gain in an aggregate amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time in which the greater cash or property distribution occurs by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time in which the greater cash or property distribution occurs times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
 
(B) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated (1) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable year; and (2) to the General Partner an amount equal to the product of (aa) an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
 
(iv)  Qualified Income Offset.   In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or Section 6.1(d)(ii).


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(v)  Gross Income Allocations.   In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.
 
(vi)  Nonrecourse Deductions.   Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.
 
(vii)  Partner Nonrecourse Deductions.   Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.
 
(viii)  Nonrecourse Liabilities.   For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
 
(ix)  Code Section 754 Adjustments.   To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.
 
(x)  Economic Uniformity.
 
(A) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period ( “Final Subordinated Units” ) in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and


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retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.
 
(B) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the conversion of the Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11(f), all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii) and Section 6.1(d)(x)(A), shall be allocated 100% to the holder or holders of the Common Units resulting from the conversion pursuant to Section 5.11(f) ( “Converted Common Units” ) in the proportion of the number of the Converted Common Units held by such holder or holders to the total number of Converted Common Units then Outstanding, until each such holder has been allocated an amount of income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Converted Common Units to an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Converted Common Units held by such holder and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Converted Common Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the receipt of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11(f).
 
(xi)  Curative Allocation.
 
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.
 
(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.
 
(xii)  Corrective Allocations.   In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:
 
(A) In the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof), the General Partner shall allocate additional items of income and gain away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights to the Unitholders and the General Partner, or additional items of deduction and loss away from the Unitholders and the General Partner to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items allocated to the Unitholders or the General Partner exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items. For this purpose, the Unitholders and the General Partner shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the


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Unitholders or the General Partner under the Partnership Agreement (e.g., Additional Book Basis Derivative Items taken into account in computing cost of goods sold would reduce the amount of book income otherwise available for allocation among the Partners). Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.
 
(B) In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account balance of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and (2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.
 
(C) In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).
 
Section  6.2   Allocations for Tax Purposes.
 
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
 
(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:
 
(i) (A) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
 
(ii) (A) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (1) first, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or Section 5.5(d)(ii), and (2) second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
 
(iii) The General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities, except with respect to goodwill contributed to the Partnership upon formation.
 
(c) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for federal income tax purposes of income (including gross income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such


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amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.2(c) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.
 
(d) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnership’s common basis of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.
 
(e) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1245-1(e), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.
 
(f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.
 
(g) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction, for federal income tax purposes, shall be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.
 
(h) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.


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Section  6.3   Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.
 
(a) Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on [June 30], 2007, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “Capital Surplus.” All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.
 
(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.
 
(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners.
 
(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
 
Section  6.4   Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
 
(a)  During Subordination Period .   Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.5 shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed as follows, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.6 in respect of other Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto:
 
(i) First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Common Units, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(ii) Second, to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Common Units, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;
 
(iii) Third, to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(iv) Fourth, to the General Partner and all Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(v) Fifth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v) until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(vi) Sixth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this


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subclause (vi), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
 
(vii) Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vii);
 
provided, however, if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(vii).
 
(b)  After Subordination Period .   Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or Section 6.5, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of additional Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto:
 
(i) First, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(iii) Third, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iii), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
 
(iv) Fourth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (A) and (B) of this clause (iv), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
 
(v) Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v);
 
provided, however, if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(b)(v).
 
Section  6.5   Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.
 
Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired on the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the period since the Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price. Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall then be distributed to the General Partner


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and all Unitholders holding Common Units, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.
 
Section  6.6   Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels.
 
(a) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution, Third Target Distribution, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Securities in accordance with Section 5.9. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator is the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such distribution.
 
(b) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.11 and Section 6.9.
 
Section  6.7   Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units and Class B Units.
 
(a) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided, however, that immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, the Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however, that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x)(A), 6.7(b) and 6.7(c).
 
(b) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).
 
(c) The Unitholder holding a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of a Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Units to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common Units, including the application of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b); provided, however, that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units represented by Common Unit Certificates.
 
(d) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holders of Class B Units shall have all the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units; provided,


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however, that immediately upon the conversion of Class B Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, the Unitholders holding a Class B Unit shall possess all the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however, that such converted Class B Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1(d)(x)(B) and 6.7(e).
 
(e) The holder or holders of Common Units resulting from the conversion pursuant to Section 5.11(f) of any Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Units until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(d), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units, including the application of Section 6.1(d)(x)(B); provided, however, that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units represented by Common Unit Certificates.
 
Section  6.8   Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article III and Article VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided by law, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii), Section 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), and Section 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI.
 
Section  6.9   Entity-Level Taxation.
 
If legislation is enacted or the interpretation of existing language is modified by a governmental taxing authority so that a Group Member is treated as an association taxable as a corporation or is otherwise subject to an entity-level tax for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then the General Partner may reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution by the amount of income taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the “Incremental Income Taxes” ), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner provided in this Section 6.9. If the General Partner elects to reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the “Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount” ) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental Income Taxes; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual tax liability for Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent determined by the General Partner be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.


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ARTICLE VII
 
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
 
Section  7.1   Management.
 
(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:
 
(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into Partnership Securities, and the incurring of any other obligations;
 
(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
 
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);
 
(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;
 
(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
 
(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;
 
(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
 
(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;
 
(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;
 
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litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
 
(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
 
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);
 
(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities, or the issuance of options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights and tracking and phantom interests relating to Partnership Securities;
 
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in any Group Member; and
 
(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.
 
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and the Assignees and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member Agreement of each other Group Member, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the Assignees or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.
 
Section  7.2   Certificate of Limited Partnership.
 
The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.
 
Section  7.3   Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority.
 
Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation, other


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combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries) without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, except as permitted under Section 4.6, 11.1 and Section 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of the Partnership.
 
Section  7.4   Reimbursement of the General Partner.
 
(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any Group Member.
 
(b) Subject to the limitations contained in the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group [and including overhead allocated to the Partnership by Affiliates of the General Partner consistent with then-applicable accounting and allocation methodologies generally permitted by FERC for rate-making purposes (or in the absence of then-applicable methodologies permitted by FERC, consistent with the most-recently applicable methodologies) and past business practices]), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7. [The allocation of overhead to the Partnership by Affiliates of the General Partner consistent with then-applicable accounting and allocation methodologies generally permitted by FERC for rate-making purposes (or in the absence of then-applicable methodologies permitted by FERC, consistent with the most-recently applicable methodologies) and past business practices shall be deemed to be fair and reasonable to the Partnership.]
 
(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights or phantom or tracking interests relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner, Group Member or any Affiliates in each case for the benefit of employees and directors of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees and directors pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) pursuant to Section 4.6.


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Section  7.5   Outside Activities.
 
(a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group Member.
 
(b) Each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty expressed or implied by law to any Group Member or any Partner or Assignee. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Indemnitee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of any Indemnitee for the Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Indemnitees shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities to the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Indemnitee (including the General Partner). No Indemnitee (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership, and such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Partnership; provided such Indemnitee does not engage in such business or activity as a result of or using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Indemnitee.
 
(c) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership Securities acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section 7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.
 
Section  7.6   Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members.
 
(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending


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party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.
 
(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).
 
(c) No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partner’s Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all partners or (ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.
 
Section  7.7   Indemnification.
 
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect to its or their obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement or the Contribution Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
 
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 7.7.
 
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
 
(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.


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(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.
 
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
 
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
 
(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
 
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
 
Section  7.8   Liability of Indemnitees.
 
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the Assignees or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.
 
(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
 
(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.
 
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
 
Section  7.9   Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.
 
(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member, any Partner or any Assignee, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest


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shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval. If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors acted in good faith, and in either case, in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or Assignee or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or Assignee or any other Limited Partner or Assignee or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.
 
(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. In order for a determination or other action to be in “good faith” for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership.
 
(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, “at the option of the General Partner,” or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity. The General Partner’s organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partner’s general partner, if the General Partner is a partnership.
 
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Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.
 
(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner or Assignee and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee.
 
(f) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.
 
Section  7.10   Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.
 
(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
 
(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
 
(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership or any Group Member.
 
Section  7.11   Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities.
 
The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Securities; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10, the General Partner may not cause any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. Such Partnership Securities shall be held by the Partnership as treasury securities unless they are expressly cancelled by action of an appropriate officer of the General Partner. As long as Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.
 
Section  7.12   Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
 
(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the “Holder” ) to dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering


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the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith that the requested registration would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone such requested registration for a period of not more than six months after receipt of the Holder’s request, such right pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) or Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized more than once in any twelve-month period. In connection with any registration pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 7.12(a), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
 
(b) If any Holder holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such Holder to dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such shelf registration statement have been sold, a “shelf” registration statement covering the Partnership Securities specified by the Holder on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to Section 7.12(a) and this Section 7.12(b); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith that any offering under, or the use of any prospectus forming a part of, the shelf registration statement would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners because such offering or use would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to suspend such offering or use for a period of not more than six months after receipt of the Holder’s request, such right pursuant to Section 7.12(a) or this Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized more than once in any twelve-month period. In connection with any shelf registration pursuant to this Section 7.12(b), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such shelf registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such shelf registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such shelf registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such


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states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such shelf registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
 
(c) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall notify all Holders of such proposal and use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided, that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the securities of the Holder once the registration statement is declared effective by the Commission or otherwise becomes effective, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(c) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
 
(d) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “Indemnified Persons” ) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(d) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or any free writing prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or any free writing prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
 
(e) The provisions of Section 7.12(a), Section 7.12(b) and Section 7.12(c) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a general partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which


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registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(d) shall continue in effect thereafter.
 
(f) The rights to cause the Partnership to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of such Partnership Securities, provided (i) the Partnership is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Partnership Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Section 7.12.
 
(g) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such Partnership Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.
 
Section  7.13   Reliance by Third Parties.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
 
ARTICLE VIII
 
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
 
Section  8.1   Records and Accounting.
 
The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders and Assignees of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.


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Section  8.2   Fiscal Year.
 
The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.
 
Section  8.3   Reports.
 
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the SEC’s website) to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.
 
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the SEC’s website) to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
 
ARTICLE IX
 
TAX MATTERS
 
Section  9.1   Tax Returns and Information.
 
The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable year or years that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable year other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable year of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable year ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.
 
Section  9.2   Tax Elections.
 
(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.
 
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.
 
Section  9.3   Tax Controversies.
 
Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or


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refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.
 
Section  9.4   Withholding.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner or Assignee (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.
 
ARTICLE X
 
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
 
Section  10.1   Admission of Initial Limited Partners.
 
Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner, Spectra Energy Transmission LLC, Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. and the Underwriters as described in Article V in connection with the Initial Offering, the General Partner shall admit such parties to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units, Subordinated Units or Incentive Distribution Rights issued to them.
 
Section  10.2   Admission of Substituted Limited Partners.
 
By transfer of a Limited Partner Interest in accordance with Article IV, the transferor shall be deemed to have given the transferee the right to seek admission as a Substituted Limited Partner subject to the conditions of, and in the manner permitted under, this Agreement. A transferor of a Certificate representing a Limited Partner Interest shall, however, only have the authority to convey to a purchaser or other transferee who does not execute and deliver a Transfer Application (a) the right to negotiate such Certificate to a purchaser or other transferee and (b) the right to transfer the right to request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to such purchaser or other transferee in respect of the transferred Limited Partner Interests. No transferor of a Limited Partnership Interest or other Person shall have any obligation or responsibility to provide a Transfer Application or Tax Certification to a transferee or assist or participate in any way with respect to the completion or delivery thereof. Each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent acquiring such Limited Partner Interest for the account of another Person) who executes and delivers a properly completed Transfer Application, containing a Taxation Certification, shall, by virtue of such execution and delivery, be an Assignee. Such Assignee shall automatically be admitted to the Partnership as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person at such time as such transfer is recorded in the books and records of the Partnership, and until so recorded, such transferee shall be an Assignee. The General Partner shall periodically, but no less frequently than on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, cause any unrecorded transfers of Limited Partner Interests with respect to which a properly completed, duly executed Transfer Application has been received to be recorded in the books and records of the Partnership. An Assignee shall have an interest in the Partnership equivalent to that of a Limited Partner with respect to allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions, of the Partnership. With respect to voting rights attributable to Limited Partner Interests that are held by Assignees, the General Partner shall be deemed to be the Limited Partner with respect thereto and shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Limited Partner Interests on any matter, vote such Limited Partner Interests at the written direction of the Assignee who is the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests. If no such written direction is received, such Limited Partner Interests will not be voted. An Assignee shall have no other rights of a Limited Partner.


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Section  10.3   Admission of Successor General Partner.
 
A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
 
Section  10.4   Admission of Additional Limited Partners.
 
(a) A Person (other than the General Partner, an Initial Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner:
 
(i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 2.6,
 
(ii) a properly completed Taxation Certification; and
 
(iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the General Partner to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.
 
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.4, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded as such in the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.
 
Section  10.5   Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
 
To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.
 
ARTICLE XI
 
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
 
Section  11.1   Withdrawal of the General Partner.
 
(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “Event of Withdrawal” );
 
(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;
 
(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;
 
(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
 
(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the


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appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
 
(v) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or
 
(vi) (A) in the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.
 
If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
 
(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on June 30, 2017, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel ( “Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel” ) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on June 30, 2017, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
 
Section  11.2   Removal of the General Partner.
 
The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 662/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as


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a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the outstanding Common Units and Class B Units, if any, voting as a single class and a majority of the outstanding Subordinated Units (if any Subordinated Units are then Outstanding) voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.3. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
 
Section  11.3   Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.
 
(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) and its general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the “Combined Interest” ) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.
 
For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing General Partner’s Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or


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other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.
 
(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
 
(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of the (x) quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.
 
Section  11.4   Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
 
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, (i) the Subordination Period will end and all Outstanding Subordinated Units will immediately and automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, (ii) all Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common Units will be extinguished and (iii) the General Partner will have the right to convert its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) and its Incentive Distribution Rights into Common Units or to receive cash in exchange therefor in accordance with Section 11.3.
 
Section  11.5   Withdrawal of Limited Partners.
 
No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.
 
ARTICLE XII
 
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
 
Section  12.1   Dissolution.
 
The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is


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elected pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
 
(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.3;
 
(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;
 
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or
 
(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.
 
Section  12.2   Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.
 
Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
 
(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;
 
(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and
 
(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;
 
provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
 
Section  12.3   Liquidator.
 
Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, Class B Units (if any), and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, Class B Units (if any), and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein


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provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.
 
Section  12.4   Liquidation.
 
The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:
 
(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.
 
(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
 
(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).
 
Section  12.5   Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
 
Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
 
Section  12.6   Return of Contributions.
 
The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.


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Section  12.7   Waiver of Partition.
 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.
 
Section  12.8   Capital Account Restoration.
 
No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.
 
ARTICLE XIII
 
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
 
Section  13.1   Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.
 
Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner or Assignee, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
 
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;
 
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;
 
(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;
 
(d) a change that the General Partner determines, (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
 
(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;
 
(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
 
(g) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6, including any amendment that the General Partner determines is necessary or


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appropriate in connection with (i) the adjustments of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.11, (ii) the implementation of the provisions of Section 5.11 or (iii) any modifications to the Incentive Distribution Rights made in connection with the issuance of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6, provided that, with respect to this clause (iii), the modifications to the Incentive Distribution Rights and the related issuance of Partnership Securities have received Special Approval;
 
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;
 
(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;
 
(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4;
 
(k) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or
 
(l) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
 
Section  13.2   Amendment Procedures.
 
Except as provided in Section 13.1 and Section 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the requirements contained in this Section 13.2. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided, however, that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee and, in declining to propose an amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by law shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.
 
Section  13.3   Amendment Requirements.
 
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
 
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.
 
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners or Assignees as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any


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class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.
 
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.
 
(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
 
Section  13.4   Special Meetings.
 
All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
 
Section  13.5   Notice of a Meeting.
 
Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.
 
Section  13.6   Record Date.
 
For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.
 
Section  13.7   Adjournment.
 
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the


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adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.
 
Section  13.8   Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting.
 
The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.
 
Section  13.9   Quorum and Voting.
 
The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.
 
Section  13.10   Conduct of a Meeting.
 
The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.
 
Section  13.11   Action Without a Meeting.
 
If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a


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meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.
 
Section  13.12   Right to Vote and Related Matters.
 
(a) Only those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.
 
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.
 
ARTICLE XIV
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
 
Section 14.1    Authority.
 
The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation ( “Merger Agreement” ) or a written plan of conversion ( “Plan of Conversion” ), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.
 
Section  14.2   Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
 
(a) Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall


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not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.
 
(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
 
(i) name and state of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;
 
(ii) the name and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “Surviving Business Entity” );
 
(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
 
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
 
(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
 
(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and
 
(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
 
(c) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:
 
(i) the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;
 
(ii) a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;
 
(iii) a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;
 
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity;
 
(v) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership; and
 
(vi) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation, or other organizational documents of the converted entity;
 
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(provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such articles of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such articles of conversion and stated therein); and
 
(viii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
 
Section  14.3   Approval by Limited Partners.
 
(a) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.
 
(b) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority.
 
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or articles of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.
 
(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.
 
(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (B) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to the Partnership Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (D) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number of Partnership Securities to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation do not exceed 20% of the Partnership Securities Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
 
(f) Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.


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Section 14.4   Certificate of Merger.
 
Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or articles of conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.
 
Section  14.5   Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
 
(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:
 
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;
 
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;
 
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
 
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
 
(b) At the effective time of the articles of conversion:
 
(i) the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;
 
(ii) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;
 
(iii) all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;
 
(iv) all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;
 
(v) a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior partners without any need for substitution of parties; and
 
(vi) the Partnership Units that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the plan of conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.
 
ARTICLE XV
 
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
 
Section  15.1   Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
 
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less


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than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.
 
(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “Notice of Election to Purchase” ) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class or classes (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI, and Article XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII).
 
(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.
 
ARTICLE XVI
 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Section  16.1   Addresses and Notices; Written Communications.
 
(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner or Assignee at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to


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be given or made to a Partner or Assignee hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner or Assignee at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners and Assignees. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner, Assignee or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.
 
(b) The terms “in writing”, “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication.
 
Section  16.2   Further Action.
 
The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
 
Section  16.3   Binding Effect.
 
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
 
Section  16.4   Integration.
 
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
 
Section  16.5   Creditors.
 
None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
 
Section  16.6   Waiver.
 
No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
 
Section  16.7   Third-Party Beneficiaries.
 
Each Partner agrees that any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee.
 
Section  16.8   Counterparts.
 
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Unit, upon accepting the certificate evidencing such


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Unit or executing and delivering a Transfer Application as herein described, independently of the signature of any other party.
 
Section  16.9   Applicable Law.
 
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
 
Section  16.10   Invalidity of Provisions.
 
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
 
Section  16.11   Consent of Partners.
 
Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.
 
Section  16.12   Facsimile Signatures.
 
The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and registrar of the Partnership on certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
 
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 
GENERAL PARTNER
 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP
 
  By:  SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC,
its general partner
 
  By: 
    
Name: 
  Title: 
 
ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER
 
SPECTRA ENERGY TRANSMISSION, LLC
 
  By: 
    
Name: 
  Title: 
 
LIMITED PARTNERS:
 
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to the General Partner.
 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP
 
  By:  Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC,
its general partner
 
  By: 
    
Name: 
  Title: 
 
[Signature Page — First Amended & Restated Agreement
of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP]


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EXHIBIT A
to the First Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
No.                     Common Units
 
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “ Partnership Agreement ”), Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership” ), hereby certifies that           (the “Holder” ) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units” ) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed and accompanied by a properly executed application for transfer of the Common Units represented by this Certificate. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas, 77056. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
 
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
 
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.


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This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
 
         
Dated:     
  Spectra Energy Partners, LP
         
Countersigned and Registered by:
  By:   Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP,
        its General Partner
         
    By:   Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC,
        its General Partner
  _ _
  By:  _ _
as Transfer Agent and Registrar
  Name:  _ _
     
By:  _ _
  By:  _ _
Authorized Signature
      Secretary
 
[ Reverse of Certificate ]
 
ABBREVIATIONS
 
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
 
         
TEN COM -
  as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT
TEN ENT -
  as tenants by the entireties              Custodian           
        (Cust)                 (Minor)
JT TEN -
  as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common   under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State)
 
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
 
FOR VALUE RECEIVED,           hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto          
 
     
     
 
(Please print or typewrite nameand address of Assignee)
  (Please insert Social Security or otheridentifying number of Assignee)
 
           Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint           as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
         
Date:
  NOTE:   The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15      

(Signature)



(Signature)
 
No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer and an Application for Transfer of Common Units has been properly completed and executed by a transferee either (a) on the form set forth below or (b) on a separate application that the Partnership will furnish on request without charge. A transferor of the Common Units shall have no duty to the transferee with respect to execution of the Application for Transfer of Common Units in order for such transferee to obtain registration of the transfer of the Common Units.


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APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF COMMON UNITS
 
Transferees of Common Units must execute and deliver this application to Spectra Energy Partners, LP, c/o Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas, 77056; Attn: CFO , to be admitted as limited partners to Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
 
The undersigned (“Assignee”) hereby applies for transfer to the name of the Assignee of the Common Units evidenced hereby and hereby certifies to Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the “Partnership” ) that the Assignee (including to the best of Assignee’s knowledge, any person for whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units) is an Eligible Holder. 1
 
The Assignee (a) requests admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and agrees to comply with and be bound by, and hereby executes, the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented or restated to the date hereof (the “Partnership Agreement” ), (b) represents and warrants that the Assignee has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (c) appoints the General Partner of the Partnership and, if a Liquidator shall be appointed, the Liquidator of the Partnership as the Assignee’s attorney-in-fact to execute, swear to, acknowledge and file any document, including the Partnership Agreement and any amendment thereto and the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any amendment thereto, necessary or appropriate for the Assignee’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and as a party to the Partnership Agreement, (d) gives the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement, and (e) makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Partnership Agreement. This application constitutes a Taxation Certification, as defined in the Partnership Agreement.
 
Date:
 
Social Security or other identifying number
 
Signature of Assignee
 
Purchase Price including commissions, if any
 
Name and Address of Assignee
 
Type of Entity (check one):
 
o  Individual o   Partnership o  Corporation
 
o  Trust o   Other (specify)
 
 
1  The Term “Eligible Holder” means (a) an individual or entity subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership; or (b) an entity not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. Individuals or entities are subject to taxation, in the context of defining an Eligible Holder, to the extent they are taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the Partnership or would be taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the Partnership if they had no offsetting deductions or tax credits unrelated to the ownership of the Common Units. Schedule I hereto contains a list of various types of investors that are categorized and identified as either “Eligible Holders” or “Non-Eligible Holders.”


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If not an Individual (check one):
 
o  the entity is subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership;
 
o  the entity is not subject to United States federal income taxation, but it is a pass-through entity and all of its beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income tax on the income generated by the Partnership;
 
o  the entity is not subject to United States federal income taxation and it is (a) not a pass-through entity or (b) a pass-through entity, but not all of its beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. Important Note  — by checking this box, the Assignee is contradicting its certification that it is an Eligible Holder.
 
Nationality (check one):
 
o   U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity                          o   Non-resident Alien
 
o   Foreign Corporation
 
If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification must be completed.
 
Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” ), the Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is required with respect to the undersigned interestholder’s interest in it, the undersigned hereby certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the interestholder).
 
Complete Either A or B:
 
A. Individual Interestholder
 
1. I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation.
 
2. My U.S. taxpayer identification number (Social Security Number) is          .
 
3. My home address is          .
 
B. Partnership, Corporation or Other Interestholder
 
1.            is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust (Name of Interestholder) or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations).
 
2. The interestholder’s U.S. employer identification number is          .
 
3. The interestholder’s office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is          .
 
The interestholder agrees to notify the Partnership within sixty (60) days of the date the interestholder becomes a foreign person.
 
The interestholder understands that this certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service by the Partnership and that any false statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.


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Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of:
 
Name of Interestholder
 
Signature and Date
 
Title (if applicable)
 
Note: If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding for the account of any other person, this application should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer, by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, in the case of any other nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the above certification as to any person for whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units shall be made to the best of the Assignee’s knowledge.


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SCHEDULE I
 
Eligible Holders
 
The following are considered Eligible Holders:
 
  •  Individuals (U.S. or non-U.S.)
 
  •  C corporations (U.S. or non-U.S.)
 
  •  Tax exempt organizations subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income or “UBTI,” including IRAs, 401(k) plans and Keough accounts
 
  •  S corporations with shareholders that are individuals, trusts or tax exempt organizations subject to tax on UBTI
 
Potentially Eligible Holders
 
The following are considered Eligible Holders, unless the information in parenthesis applies:
 
  •  S corporations (unless they have ESOP shareholders*()
 
  •  Partnerships (unless its partners include mutual funds, real estate investment trusts or “REITs,” governmental entities and agencies, S corporations with ESOP shareholders* or other partnerships with such partners)
 
  •  Trusts (unless beneficiaries are not subject to tax)
 
Non-Eligible Holders
 
The following are not considered Eligible Holders:
 
  •  Mutual Funds
 
  •  REITs
 
  •  Governmental entities and agencies
 
  •  S corporations with ESOP shareholders*
 
 
(     * “S corporations with ESOP shareholders” are S corporations with shareholders that include employee stock ownership plans.


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Appendix B
 
APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF COMMON UNITS
 
Transferees of Common Units must execute and deliver this application to SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP, c/o Spectra Energy Partners GP, LP, 5400 Westheimer Ct., Houston, TX 77056; Attn: CFO, to be admitted as limited partners to SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP.
 
The undersigned (“Assignee”) hereby applies for transfer to the name of the Assignee of the Common Units evidenced hereby and hereby certifies to SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP (the “Partnership”) that the Assignee (including to the best of Assignee’s knowledge, any person for whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units) is an Eligible Holder.*(
 
The Assignee (a) requests admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and agrees to comply with and be bound by, and hereby executes, the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended, supplemented or restated to the date hereof (the “Partnership Agreement”), (b) represents and warrants that the Assignee has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (c) appoints the General Partner of the Partnership and, if a Liquidator shall be appointed, the Liquidator of the Partnership as the Assignee’s attorney-in-fact to execute, swear to, acknowledge and file any document, including, without limitation, the Partnership Agreement and any amendment thereto and the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any amendment thereto, necessary or appropriate for the Assignee’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and as a party to the Partnership Agreement, (d) gives the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement, and (e) makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Partnership Agreement. This application constitutes a Taxation Certification, as defined in the Partnership Agreement.
 
Date:
 
Social Security or other identifying number of Assignee
 
Signature of Assignee
 
Purchase Price including commissions, if any Name and Address of Assignee
 
Type of Entity (check one):
 
o  Individual o   Partnership o  Corporation
 
o  Trust o   Other (specify)
 
 
(     * The Term “Eligible Holder” means (a) an individual or entity subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership; or (b) an entity not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. Individuals or entities are subject to taxation, in the context of defining an Eligible Holder, to the extent they are taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the Partnership or would be taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the Partnership if they had no offsetting deductions or tax credits unrelated to the ownership of the Common Units. Schedule I hereto contains a list of various types of investors that are categorized and identified as either “Eligible Holders” or “Non-Eligible Holders.”


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If not an Individual (check one):
 
o  the entity is subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership;
 
o  the entity is not subject to United States federal income taxation, but it is a pass-through entity and all of its beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership; the entity is not subject to United States federal income taxation and it is (a) not a pass-through entity or (b) a pass-through entity, but not all of its beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. Important Note  — by checking this box, the Assignee is contradicting its certification that it is an Eligible Holder.
 
Nationality (check one):
 
o   U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity                          o   Non-resident Alien
 
o   Foreign Corporation
 
If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification must be completed.
 
Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is required with respect to the undersigned interestholder’s interest in it, the undersigned hereby certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the interestholder).
 
Complete Either A or B:
 
A. Individual Interestholder
 
1. I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation.
 
2. My U.S. taxpayer identification number (Social Security Number) is          .
 
3. My home address is          .
 
B. Partnership, Corporation or Other Interestholder
 
1. The interestholder is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations).
 
2. The interestholder’s U.S. employer identification number is          .
 
3. The interestholder’s office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is          .
 
The interestholder agrees to notify the Partnership within sixty (60) days of the date the interestholder becomes a foreign person.
 
The interestholder understands that this certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the Partnership and that any false statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.


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Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of:
 
Name of Interestholder
 
Signature and Date
 
Title (if applicable)
 
Note: If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding for the account of any other person, this application should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer, by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, in the case of any other nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the above certification as to any person for whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units shall be made to the best of the Assignee’s knowledge.


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SCHEDULE I
 
Eligible Holders
 
The following are considered Eligible Holders:
 
  •  Individuals (U.S. or non-U.S.)
 
  •  C corporations (U.S. or non-U.S.)
 
  •  Tax exempt organizations subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income or “UBTI,” including IRAs, 401(k) plans and Keough accounts
 
  •  S corporations with shareholders that are individuals, trusts or tax exempt organizations subject to tax on UBTI
 
Potentially Eligible Holders
 
  •  S corporations (unless they have ESOP shareholders*()
 
  •  Partnerships (unless its partners include mutual funds, real estate investment trusts or “REITs,” governmental entities and agencies, S corporations with ESOP shareholders* or other partnerships with such partners)
 
  •  Trusts (unless beneficiaries are not subject to tax)
 
Non-Eligible Holders
 
The following are not considered Eligible Holders:
 
  •  Mutual Funds
 
  •  REITs
 
  •  Governmental entities and agencies
 
  •  S corporations with ESOP shareholders*
 
 
(     * “S corporations with ESOP shareholders” are S corporations with shareholders that include employee stock ownership plans.


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Appendix C
 
CERTIFICATION FORM FOR NON-INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS
 
As described in this Prospectus, only Eligible Holders (as defined on Schedule I hereto) may purchase common units in the Partnership’s proposed public offering (the “Offering”). In order to comply with this requirement, all potential investors that are not natural persons, including institutions, partnerships and trusts (“Non-individual Investors”), must complete this Certification Form.
 
  •  If you have an institutional sales account with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., you should fax signed forms to               by 5:00 pm Eastern time on,          , 2007 (the “Return Date”).
 
  •  If you have any other type of brokerage account with any of the broker-dealers on page 2, you should fax signed forms to your retail broker or financial advisor upon initial indication of interest.
 
Non-individual Investors who do not complete and return this form by the
Return Date will not be allocated units in this offering.
 
1.  Acknowledgement and Consent to Forward this Certification Form.   The undersigned Non-individual Investor acknowledges and understands that an underwriter who receives this Certification Form may forward it to the Partnership and/or the transfer agent for the Common Units. Accordingly, the undersigned hereby grants its consent for Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Lehman Brothers Inc. or any underwriter or affiliate thereof listed on page 2 to forward this Certification Form to the Partnership and/or the transfer agent for the Common Units.
 
2.  Acknowledgement of Obligation to Complete a Transfer Application.   The undersigned Non-individual Investor further acknowledges that, if it purchases Common Units in the Offering, it must complete a Transfer Application in the form included as Appendix A to the Prospectus and deliver it to the address as instructed on the Transfer Application. The undersigned Non-individual Investor further acknowledges that no underwriter or affiliate of an underwriter has any responsibility or obligation to complete or deliver a Transfer Application on behalf of the undersigned.
 
3.  Certification as to Tax Status.   The undersigned Non-individual Investor hereby certifies that it is either (check one):
 
o an entity that is subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership; or
 
o an entity that is not subject to United States federal income taxation, but is a pass-through entity and all of its beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership.
 
Signing this form shall not obligate the undersigned Non-individual Investor to provide or share any tax-related information with the Partnership, the transfer agent or any underwriter in connection with the purchase and sale of common units in the Offering.
Executed this day of          , 2007.
 
(Name of Entity)
  By: 
    
 
Name: 
 
  Title: 
 
NON-INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR RETAIL BROKER DEALERS
 
Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
 
Lehman Brothers Private Wealth Management


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SCHEDULE I
 
An “Eligible Holder” is (a) an individual or entity subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership or (b) an entity not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership or would be taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the Partnership if they had no offsetting deductions or tax credits unrelated to the ownership of the Common Units. Set forth below is a list of various types of investors that are categorized and identified as Eligible Holders , Potentially Eligible Holders or Non-Eligible Holders.
 
Eligible Holders
 
The following are considered Eligible Holders:
 
  •  Individuals (U.S. or non-U.S.)
 
  •  C corporations (U.S. or non-U.S.)
 
  •  Tax exempt organizations subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income or “UBTI,” including IRAs, 401(k) plans and Keough accounts
 
  •  S corporations with shareholders that are individuals, trusts or tax exempt organizations subject to tax on UBTI
 
Potentially Eligible Holders
 
The following are considered Eligible Holders, unless the bracketed information applies:
 
  •  Partnerships (unless its partners include mutual funds, real estate investment trusts or “REITs,” governmental entities and agencies, S corporations with ESOP shareholders 1 ( or other partnerships with such partners)
 
  •  Trusts (unless beneficiaries are not subject to tax)
 
Non-Eligible Holders
 
The following are not considered Eligible Holders:
 
  •  Mutual Funds
 
  •  REITs
 
  •  Governmental entities and agencies
 
  •  S corporations with ESOP shareholders 3
 
 
(      1  “S corporations with ESOP shareholders” are S corporations with shareholders that include employee stock ownership plans.


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Appendix D
 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
 
Adjusted Operating Surplus:   For any period, operating surplus generated during that period is adjusted to:
 
(a) increase operating surplus by any net decreases made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established with respect to such period;
 
(b) decrease operating surplus by any net decrease in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; and
 
(c) increase operating surplus by any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium.
 
Adjusted operating surplus does not include the portion of operating surplus described in subpart (a)(2) of the definition of “operating surplus” in this Appendix D.
 
Available Cash:   For any quarter ending prior to liquidation:
 
(a) the sum of:
 
(1) all cash and cash equivalents of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and its subsidiaries on hand at the end of that quarter; and
 
(2) if our general partner so determines all or a portion of any additional cash or cash equivalents of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and its subsidiaries on hand on the date of determination of available cash for that quarter;
 
(b) less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
 
(1) provide for the proper conduct of the business of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and its subsidiaries (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for future credit needs of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and its subsidiaries) after that quarter;
 
(2) comply with applicable law or any debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which Spectra Energy Partners, LP or any of its subsidiaries is a part or its assets are subject; and
 
(3) provide funds for minimum quarterly distributions and cumulative common unit arrearages for any one or more of the next four quarters;
 
provided, however , that our general partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to clause (b)(3) immediately above unless our general partner has determined that the establishment of reserves will not prevent us from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative common unit arrearages thereon for that quarter; and provided, further , that disbursements made by us or any of our subsidiaries or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of that quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining available cash, within that quarter if our general partner so determines.
 
Bcf:   One billion cubic feet of natural gas.
 
Bcf/d:   One billion cubic feet per day.
 
Btu:   British Thermal Units.
 
Capital Account:   The capital account maintained for a partner under the partnership agreement. The capital account of a partner for a common unit, a Class B unit, a subordinated unit, an incentive distribution right or any other partnership interest will be the amount which that capital account would be if that common unit, a Class B unit, subordinated unit, incentive distribution right or other partnership interest were the only interest in Spectra Energy Partners, LP held by a partner.


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Capital Surplus:   All available cash distributed by us on any date from any source will be treated as distributed from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since the closing of the initial public offering equals the operating surplus from the closing of the initial public offering through the end of the quarter immediately preceding that distribution. Any excess available cash distributed by us on that date will be deemed to be capital surplus.
 
Closing Price:   The last sale price on a day, regular way, or in case no sale takes place on that day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on that day, regular way, in either case, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system for securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal national securities exchange on which the units of that class are listed or admitted to trading. If the units of that class are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price on that day. If no quoted price exists, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on that day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange or any other system then in use. If on any day the units of that class are not quoted by any organization of that type, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on that day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the units of the class selected by the our board of directors. If on that day no market maker is making a market in the units of that class, the fair value of the units on that day as determined reasonably and in good faith by our board of directors.
 
Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage:   The amount by which the minimum quarterly distribution for a quarter during the subordination period exceeds the distribution of available cash from operating surplus actually made for that quarter on a common unit, cumulative for that quarter and all prior quarters during the subordination period.
 
Current Market Price:   For any class of units listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange as of any date, the average of the daily closing prices for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to that date.
 
Eligible Holders:   Individuals or entities either (a) subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us or (b) in the case of entities that are pass-through entities for United States federal income taxation, all of whose beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by us.
 
GAAP:   Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
 
Greenfield Construction:   The construction of an asset or system in an area where no previous facilities existed.
 
Interim Capital Transactions:   The following transactions if they occur prior to liquidation:
 
(a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness and sales of debt securities (other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by Spectra Energy Partners, LP or any of its subsidiaries;
 
(b) sales of equity interests and debt securities of Spectra Energy Partners, LP or any of its subsidiaries;
 
(c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of Spectra Energy Partners, LP or any of its subsidiaries (other than sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and sales or other dispositions of assets as a part of normal retirements or replacements);
 
(d) the termination of interest rate swap agreements or commodity hedge contracts prior to the termination date specified therein;
 
(e) capital contributions; and
 
(f) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
 
Local Distribution Company or LDC:   LDCs are companies involved in the delivery of natural gas to consumers within a specific geographic area.


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Mcf:   One thousand cubic feet of natural gas. We have converted each of the throughput numbers from a heating value number to a volumetric number based upon the following conversion factor: 1 MMBtu = 1 Mcf.
 
MMBtu:   One million British thermal units which is roughly equivalent to one Mcf.
 
MMcf:   One million cubic feet of natural gas.
 
MMBtu/d:   One million British Thermal Units per day.
 
MMcf/d:   One million cubic feet per day.
 
Operating Expenditures:   All of our expenditures and expenditures of our subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, taxes, payments to our general partner reimbursements of expenses incurred by our general partner on our behalf, non-pro rata purchases of units, interest payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate swap agreements and commodity hedge contracts and maintenance capital expenditures, subject to the following:
 
(a) Payments (including prepayments) of principal of and premium on indebtedness will not constitute operating expenditures.
 
(b) Operating expenditures will not include:
 
(1) expansion capital expenditures;
 
(2) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to interim capital transactions;
 
(3) distributions to unitholders; and
 
(4) non-pro rata purchases of units of any class made with the proceeds of an interim capital transaction.
 
Where capital expenditures consist of both maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures, the general partner, with the concurrence of the conflicts committee, shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.
 
Operating Surplus:   For any period prior to liquidation, on a cumulative basis and without duplication:
 
(a) the sum of:
 
(1) all cash receipts of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and our subsidiaries for the period beginning on the closing date of our initial public offering and ending with the last day of the period, other than cash receipts from interim capital transactions; and
 
(2) an amount equal to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all units (including general partner units) and incentive distribution rights at the same per-unit amount as was distributed in the immediately preceding quarter; less
 
(b) the sum of:
 
(1) operating expenditures for the period beginning on the closing date of our initial public offering and ending with the last day of that period; and
 
(2) the amount of cash reserves that is established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; provided however, that disbursements made (including contributions to Spectra Energy Partners LP or our subsidiaries or disbursements on behalf of Spectra Energy Partners, LP or our subsidiaries) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of that period but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced for purposes of determining operating surplus, within that period if our general partner so determines.
 
Peak Day:   The highest level of throughput transported through a pipeline system on any given day.


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Subordination Period:   The subordination period will extend from the closing of the initial public offering until the first to occur of the following dates:
 
(a) The first day of any quarter beginning after June 30, 2010 in respect of which each of the following tests are met:
 
(1) distribution of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;
 
(2) the adjusted operating surplus generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units during those periods on a fully diluted basis; and
 
(3) there are no outstanding cumulative common units arrearages.
 
(b) The first date after we have earned and paid at least $0.4688 per quarter (150% of the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3125 per quarter, which is $1.8752 on an annualized basis) on each outstanding limited partner unit and general partner unit for any four consecutive quarters ending on or after June 30, 2008; and
 
(c) The date on which the general partner is removed as our general partner upon the requisite vote by the limited partners under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of the removal.
 
When the subordination period ends, all remaining subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis, and the common units will no longer be entitled to arrearages.
 
Throughput:   The volume of natural gas transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility in an economically meaningful period of time.
 
Working Gas:   Natural gas storage capacity that can be used for system operations or is available to be sold to the market as firm or interruptible storage capacity or as the storage component of no notice service.


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Spectra Energy Partners, LP
 
10,000,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
 
(SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS LOGO)
 
 
PROSPECTUS
 
     , 2007
 
 
Citi
 
Lehman Brothers
 
 
Merrill Lynch & Co.
 
UBS Investment Bank
 
Wachovia Securities
 
 
A.G. Edwards
 
Raymond James
 
 
 


Table of Contents

 
PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
Item 13.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
Set forth below are the expenses expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, the NASD filing fee and the New York Stock Exchange listing fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.
 
         
SEC registration fee
  $ 8,526  
NASD filing fee
    28,273  
New York Stock Exchange listing fee
    250,000  
Printing and engraving expenses
    *  
Accounting fees and expenses
    *  
Legal fees and expenses
    *  
Transfer agent and registrar fees
    *  
Subscription Agent fees
    *  
Information Agent fees
    *  
Standby Commitment fees
    *  
Miscellaneous
    *  
         
Total
  $ 6,000,000  
         
 
 
* To be filed by amendment.
 
Item 14.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
The section of the prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement — Indemnification” is incorporated herein by this reference. Reference is also made to the Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement. Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
 
Item 15.    Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
 
On March 19, 2007, in connection with the formation of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the “Partnership”), the Partnership issued to (i) Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP the 2% general partner interest in the Partnership for $60 and (ii) Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC the 98% limited partner interest in the Partnership for $2,940. The issuance was exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. There have been no other sales of unregistered securities within the past three years.
 
Item 16.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a) The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement:
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  1 .1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3 .1**   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  3 .2   Form of First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (included as Appendix A to the Prospectus)
  3 .3**   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP


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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  3 .4*   Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
  3 .5**   Certificate of Formation of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
  3 .6*   Form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
  5 .1*   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered
  8 .1*   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. relating to tax matters
  10 .1   Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2007 among Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP, as the Borrower, Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as Parent Guarantor and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N,A., as Syndication Agent, and the other lenders party thereto
  10 .2*   Form of Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement
  10 .3*   Form of Omnibus Agreement
  10 .5*   Form of Long Term Incentive Plan of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  10 .6   Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
  10 .7*   Amended and Restated General Partnership Agreement of Market Hub Partners Holding
  10 .6*   East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC Note Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2002 relating to $150,000,000 of its 5.71% Senior Notes due 2012
  10 .7*   Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. Indenture dated October 26, 2005 relating to $500,000,000 of its 5.56% Senior Notes due 2015 and $350,000,000 of its 6.19% Senior Notes due 2025
  21 .1*   List of subsidiaries of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  23 .1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23 .2   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23 .3   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23 .4*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
  23 .5*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 8.1)
  24 .1   Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page)
 
 
* To be filed by amendment.
 
** Previously filed.
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules

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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS PREDECESSOR
 
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
 
                                         
          Additions              
    Balance at
          Charged to
          Balance at
 
    Beginning of
    Charged to
    Other
    Deductions
    End of
 
    Period     Expense     Accounts     (a)     Period  
    (In thousands)  
 
December 31, 2006:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 274     $ 19     $     $ (52 )   $ 241  
Litigation reserves
                             
                                         
    $ 274     $ 19     $     $ (52 )   $ 241  
                                         
December 31, 2005:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 208     $ 170     $     $ (104 )   $ 274  
Litigation reserves
    20,000             4,500       (24,500 )      
                                         
    $ 20,208     $ 170     $ 4,500     $ (24,604 )   $ 274  
                                         
December 31, 2004:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 208     $     $     $     $ 208  
Litigation reserves
                20,000             20,000  
                                         
    $ 208     $ 1,737     $ 20,000     $     $ 20,208  
                                         
 
 
(a) Principally cash payments and reserve reversals
 
Item 17.    Undertakings.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction of the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.


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(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
The registrant undertakes to send to each limited partner at least on an annual basis a detailed statement of any transactions with Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC or its affiliates, and of fees, commissions, compensation and other benefits paid, or accrued to Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC or its affiliates for the fiscal year completed, showing the amount paid or accrued to each recipient and the services performed.
 
The registrant undertakes to provide to the limited partners the financial statements required by Form 10-K for the first full fiscal year of operations of the partnership.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on June 4, 2007.
 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
  By:  SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP,
its General Partner
 
  By:  SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC,
its General Partner
 
  By: 
/s/  C. Gregory Harper
C. Gregory Harper
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints C. Gregory Harper and Lon C. Mitchell, Jr. and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on June 4, 2007.
 
         
Signature
 
Title
 
/s/  C. Gregory Harper

C. Gregory Harper
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/  Lon C. Mitchell, Jr.

Lon C. Mitchell, Jr. 
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
     
*

Martha B. Wyrsch
  Chairman of the Board
     
/s/  William S. Garner, Jr.

William S. Garner, Jr.
  Director
     
/s/  Gregory J. Rizzo

Gregory J. Rizzo
  Director
     
/s/  Steven D. Arnold

Steven D. Arnold
  Director
     
/s/  Nora M. Brownell

Nora M. Brownell
  Director
         
*By:  
/s/  C. Gregory Harper

C. Gregory Harper
Attorney-In-Fact
   


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  1 .1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3 .1**   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  3 .2   Form of First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (included as Appendix A to the Prospectus)
  3 .3**   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
  3 .4*   Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
  3 .5**   Certificate of Formation of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
  3 .6*   Form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
  5 .1*   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered
  8 .1*   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. relating to tax matters
  10 .1   Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2007 among Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP, as the Borrower, Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as Parent Guarantor and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and the other lenders party thereto
  10 .2*   Form of Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement
  10 .3*   Form of Omnibus Agreement
  10 .5*   Form of Long Term Incentive Plan of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  10 .6   Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
  10 .7*   Amended and Restated General Partnership Agreement of Market Hub Partners Holding
  10 .6*   East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC Note Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2002 relating to $150,000,000 of its 5.71% Senior Notes due 2012
  10 .7*   Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. Indenture dated October 26, 2005 relating to $500,000,000 of its 5.56% Senior Notes due 2015 and $350,000,000 of its 6.19% Senior Notes due 2025
  21 .1*   List of subsidiaries of Spectra Energy Partners, LP
  23 .1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23 .2   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23 .3   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23 .4*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
  23 .5*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 8.1)
  24 .1   Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page)
 
 
* To be filed by amendment.
 
** Previously filed.

 

Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
 
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of May 24, 2007
among
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS OLP, LP
as the Borrower,
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
as Parent Guarantor,
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO
and
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
 
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., SUNTRUST BANK and
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
as Documentation Agents,
and
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
and
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                     
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS     1  
 
    1.1     Definitions     1  
 
    1.2     Computation of Time Periods     23  
 
    1.3     Accounting Terms     23  
 
    1.4     Time     24  
 
                   
SECTION 2. LOANS     24  
 
    2.1     Revolving and Term Loan Commitments     24  
 
    2.2     Letters of Credit     24  
 
    2.3     Method of Borrowing for Revolving Loans and Term Loans     29  
 
    2.4     Funding of Revolving Loans and Term Loans     30  
 
    2.5     Continuations and Conversions     30  
 
    2.6     Minimum Amounts     31  
 
    2.7     Reductions of Revolving Committed Amount     31  
 
    2.8     Swingline Loans     31  
 
    2.9     Notes     33  
 
    2.10     Increases in Revolving Committed Amount; Extension of Maturity Date     33  
 
    2.11     Additional Term Loans     35  
 
                   
SECTION 3. PAYMENTS     35  
 
    3.1     Interest     35  
 
    3.2     Prepayments     36  
 
    3.3     Payment of Loans in full at Maturity     37  
 
    3.4     Fees     37  
 
    3.5     Place and Manner of Payments     38  
 
    3.6     Pro Rata Treatment     39  
 
    3.7     Computations of Interest and Fees     39  
 
    3.8     Sharing of Payments     40  
 
    3.9     Evidence of Debt     41  
 
                   
SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS     41  
 
    4.1     Eurodollar Loan Provisions     41  
 
    4.2     Capital Adequacy     43  
 
    4.3     Compensation     44  
 
    4.4     Taxes     44  
 
    4.5     Replacement of Lenders     47  
 
                   
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT     47  
 
    5.1     Closing Conditions     47  
 
    5.2     Conditions to Loans and Issuances of Letters of Credit     50  
 
                   
SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES     50  
 
    6.1     Organization and Good Standing     51  
 
    6.2     Due Authorization     51  
 
    6.3     No Conflicts     51  
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    6.4     Consents     51  
 
    6.5     Enforceable Obligations     51  
 
    6.6     Financial Condition/Material Adverse Effect     52  
 
    6.7     Taxes     52  
 
    6.8     Compliance with Law     52  
 
    6.9     Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock     52  
 
    6.10     Government Regulation     52  
 
    6.11     Solvency     53  
 
    6.12     Environmental Matters     53  
 
    6.13     Subsidiaries     53  
 
    6.14     Litigation     53  
 
    6.15     Collateral     53  
 
    6.16     Material Contracts     53  
 
    6.17     Anti-Terrorism Laws     53  
 
    6.18     Compliance with OFAC Rules and Regulations     54  
 
    6.19     Compliance with FCPA     54  
 
                   
SECTION 7. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS     54  
 
    7.1     Information Covenants     54  
 
    7.2     Preservation of Existence and Franchises     56  
 
    7.3     Books and Records     57  
 
    7.4     Compliance with Law     57  
 
    7.5     Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness     57  
 
    7.6     Maintenance of Property; Insurance     57  
 
    7.7     Use of Proceeds     58  
 
    7.8     Inspections     58  
 
    7.9     Maintenance of Ownership     58  
 
    7.10     Financial Covenants     58  
 
    7.11     Material Contracts     59  
 
    7.12     Reserved     59  
 
    7.13     Cash Collateral     59  
 
                   
SECTION 8. NEGATIVE COVENANTS     60  
 
    8.1     Nature of Business     60  
 
    8.2.     Liens     61  
 
    8.3     Consolidation and Merger     62  
 
    8.4     Dispositions     63  
 
    8.5     Transactions with Affiliates     63  
 
    8.6     Indebtedness     64  
 
    8.7     Investments     66  
 
    8.8     Restricted Payments     66  
 
                   
SECTION 9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT     67  
 
    9.1     Events of Default     67  
 
    9.2     Acceleration; Remedies     70  
 
    9.3     Allocation of Payments After Event of Default     71  
SECTION 10. AGENCY PROVISIONS     72  
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    10.1     Appointment     72  
 
    10.2     Delegation of Duties     72  
 
    10.3     Exculpatory Provisions     72  
 
    10.4     Reliance on Communications     73  
 
    10.5     Notice of Default     73  
 
    10.6     Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders     73  
 
    10.7     Indemnification     74  
 
    10.8     Agent in Its Individual Capacity     74  
 
    10.9     Successor Agent     74  
 
                   
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS     75  
 
    11.1     Notices     75  
 
    11.2     Right of Set-Off     75  
 
    11.3     Benefit of Agreement     76  
 
    11.4     No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative     78  
 
    11.5     Payment of Expenses, etc.     78  
 
    11.6     Amendments, Waivers and Consents     79  
 
    11.7     Counterparts/Telecopy     80  
 
    11.8     Headings     80  
 
    11.9     Defaulting Lender     80  
 
    11.10     Survival of Indemnification and Representations and Warranties     81  
 
    11.11     Governing Law; Venue     81  
 
    11.12     Waiver of Jury Trial; Waiver of Consequential Damages     81  
 
    11.13     Severability     82  
 
    11.14     Further Assurances     82  
 
    11.15     Entirety     82  
 
    11.16     Binding Effect; Continuing Agreement     82  
 
    11.17     Confidentiality; USA PATRIOT Act     82  
 
                   
SECTION 12. GUARANTY     83  
 
    12.1     The Guaranty     83  
 
    12.2     Obligations Unconditional     83  
 
    12.3     Reinstatement     84  
 
    12.4     Certain Additional Waivers     85  
 
    12.5     Remedies     85  
 
    12.6     Reserved     85  
 
    12.7     Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee     85  
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SCHEDULES
   
 
   
Schedule 1.1
  Commitment Percentages
Schedule 6.13
  Subsidiaries
Schedule 8.5
  Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 11.1
  Notices
 
   
EXHIBITS
   
 
   
Exhibit 2.3
  Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit 2.5
  Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion
Exhibit 2.9(a)
  Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit 2.9(b)
  Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit 2.9(c)
  Form of Swingline Loan Note
Exhibit 5.1
  Form of Account Designation Letter
Exhibit 7.1(c)
  Form of Officer’s Certificate
Exhibit 11.3(b)
  Form of Assignment Agreement
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CREDIT AGREEMENT
      THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of May 24, 2007, is entered into among SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS OLP, LP , a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP , a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Parent ”), the Lenders (as defined herein) and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”).
RECITALS
      WHEREAS , the Borrower has requested that the Lenders make available to it a credit facility in the aggregate initial amount of $500 million for the purposes set forth herein; and
      WHEREAS , the Lenders have agreed to provide the requested credit facility to the Borrower on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth herein.
      NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1.
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
      1.1 Definitions.
     As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings herein specified unless the context otherwise requires. Defined terms herein shall include in the singular number the plural and in the plural the singular:
     “ Account Control Agreement ” means those certain Account Control Agreements, dated as of the Effective Date, among the Borrower (as Debtor), each Intermediary (as Intermediary) and the Agent (as Bank).
     “ Account Designation Letter ” means the Notice of Account Designation Letter dated the Effective Date from the Borrower to the Agent in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1 .
     “ Acquisition ” by any Person, means the acquisition by such Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of property or assets (other than capital expenditures or acquisitions of inventory or supplies in the ordinary course of business) of, or of a business unit or division of, another Person or at least a majority of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent of another Person, in each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person and whether for cash, property, services, assumption of Indebtedness, securities or otherwise.
     “ Adjusted Base Rate ” means the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans.
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     “ Adjusted Eurodollar Rate ” means the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans.
     “ Adjusted LIBOR Market Index Rate ” means the LIBOR Market Index Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans.
     “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control a corporation if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause direction of the management and policies of such corporation, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
     “ Agency Services Address ” means Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Agent, 201 South College Street, CP-8, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0680, or such other address as may be identified by written notice from the Agent to the Borrower and the Lenders.
     “ Agent ” means Wachovia Bank, National Association and any successors and assigns in such capacity.
     “ Applicable Margin ” means, at any time:
     (a) with respect to Term Loans, (i) for Eurodollar Loans, 0.10% and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 0.00%.
     (b) with respect to Loans (other than Term Loans) and applicable fees, if neither the Parent nor the Borrower has a Debt Rating from a Designated Rating Agency, the rate per annum set forth below based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio:
                                     
        Applicable   Applicable Margin for           Applicable
Pricing   Consolidated   Margin for   Eurodollar Loans and   Utilization   Base Rate
Level   Leverage Ratio   Facility Fees   Swingline Loans   Fee Rate   Loans
I
  < 3.00 to 1.0     0.100 %     0.350 %     0.100 %     0.00 %
 
                                   
II
  ³ 3.00 to 1.0 but < 3.75 to 1.0     0.125 %     0.425 %     0.100 %     0.00 %
 
                                   
III
  ³ 3.75 to 1.0 but < 4.50 to 1.0     0.150 %     0.500 %     0.100 %     0.00 %
 
                                   
IV
  ³ 4.50 to 1.0     0.175 %     0.575 %     0.100 %     0.00 %
     Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date that the officer’s certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) evidencing calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio;
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      provided , however , that if such certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section 7.1(d), then Pricing Level IV shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such certificate was required to have been delivered and shall continue to apply until the first Business Day immediately following the date a certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 7.1(d), whereupon the Applicable Margin shall be adjusted based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio contained in such certificate.
     In the event that any financial statement or certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period than the Applicable Margin applied for such period, then (i) the Borrower shall immediately deliver to the Agent a correct certificate for such period, (ii) the Applicable Margin shall be redetermined for such period based on the correct pricing level applicable for such period, and (iii) the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such period. In the event any such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a lower Applicable Margin for any period than the Applicable Margin applied for such period, then (i) Borrower may deliver to the Agent a correct certificate for such period, (ii) the Applicable Margin shall be redetermined for such period based on the appropriate pricing level for such period, and (iii) Borrower shall receive a credit for any interest actually paid for such period in excess of the amount so redetermined to be applied against future interest payments as and when they become due, but in no event shall any Lender be required to refund any such amount to Borrower.
     The Applicable Margin in effect from the Effective Date through the first Business Day immediately following the date a certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007 shall be determined based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio contained in the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(k), based upon Parent’s pro forma financial statements as of March 31, 2007 delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(f) hereof, after giving effect to the Initial Asset Acquisition, the IPO and the initial Loans hereunder.
     (c) with respect to Loans (other than Term Loans) and applicable fees, if the Parent or the Borrower has at least one Debt Rating from a Designated Rating Agency, the rate per annum set forth in the table below opposite such Debt Rating of the Parent or the Borrower:
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    Applicable   Applicable Margin for        
Parent’s orBorrower’s   Margin for   Eurodollar Loans and   Utilization   Applicable Margin
Debt Rating   Facility Fees   Swingline Loans   Fee Rate   for Base Rate Loans
> A- / A3 / A-
    0.060 %     0.140 %     0.050 %     0.00 %
 
                               
A- / A3 / A-
    0.060 %     0.190 %     0.050 %     0.00 %
 
                               
BBB+ / Baa1 / BBB+
    0.070 %     0.230 %     0.050 %     0.00 %
 
                               
BBB / Baa2 / BBB
    0.090 %     0.310 %     0.050 %     0.00 %
 
                               
BBB- / Baa3 / BBB-
    0.110 %     0.440 %     0.050 %     0.00 %
 
                               
< BBB- / Baa3 / BBB-
    0.125 %     0.575 %     0.050 %     0.00 %
     The Applicable Margin shall, in each case, be determined and adjusted on the date on which there is a change in the Debt Rating and shall be effective until a future change in the Debt Rating.
     If only one Debt Rating is available, such available Debt Rating will govern. If at any time there is more than one Debt Rating and such Debt Ratings are different (i) if three Debt Ratings are available, either (a) the majority Debt Rating will govern, if two Debt Ratings are the same, or (b) the middle Debt Rating will govern, if all three Debt Ratings differ, and (ii) if only two Debt Ratings are available, the higher Debt Rating will govern, unless there is more than one level between the Debt Ratings and then the level one below the higher Debt Rating (lower pricing) will apply.
     (d) Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin shall be applicable to all existing Eurodollar Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit as well as any new Eurodollar Loans or Swingline Loans made or Letters of Credit issued.
     (e) The Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Agent, at the address set forth on Schedule 11.1 and at the Agency Services Address, information regarding any change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio or the Parent’s or the Borrower’s Debt Rating that would change the existing Pricing Level pursuant to clause (b) or (c) above.
     “ Approved Officer ” means the president, a vice president, the treasurer or the assistant treasurer of the applicable Credit Party or such other authorized representative of such Credit Party as may be designated by any one of the foregoing.
     “ Assignment Agreement ” means an Assignment Agreement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 11.3(b).
     “ Available Cash ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Parent as in effect on the Effective Date, with such amendments thereto as agreed to by the Required Lenders.
     “ Bankruptcy Code ” means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.
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     “ Base Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1 / 2 of 1% or (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, respectively.
     “ Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) which bears interest based on the Base Rate.
     “ Borrower ” means Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP a Delaware limited partnership.
     “ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close in New York, New York or Charlotte, North Carolina; provided , that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day on which dealings between banks are carried on in U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
     “ Businesses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12.
     “ Capital Lease ” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.
     “ Capital Stock ” means (a) in the case of a corporation, all classes of capital stock of such corporation, (b) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (c) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
     “ Cash Collateral ” means all financial assets and securities entitlements maintained in or credited to the Cash Collateral Account.
     “ Cash Collateral Account ” means an account of the Borrower established and maintained with the Intermediary identified by account number in the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(k).
     “ Cash Equivalents ” means, as at any date, (a) securities guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “ Approved Bank ”), in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes
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issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations and (e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 or having portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).
     “ Change in Law ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.4(d).
     “ Change of Control ” means as of any date, the failure of (a) the Parent to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the equity of the Borrower or (b) Spectra Energy Corp to own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting equity of the general partner of the Parent.
     “ Closing Date ” means the date hereof.
     “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
     “ Co-lead Arrangers ” means Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and CitiGroup Global Markets Inc.
     “ Collateral Documents ” means (i) the Account Control Agreement and (ii) each other document executed and delivered in connection with the granting, attachment and perfection of the Agent’s security interest in the Cash Collateral, including, without limitation, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements.
     “ Commercial Operation Date ” means the date on which a Qualified Project is substantially complete and commercially operable.
     “ Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender with respect to the Revolving Committed Amount and the commitment of such Lender with respect to the Term Loan Committed Amount and “ Commitments ” means, collectively, all such commitments of the Lenders.
     “ Commitment Percentage ” means, for each Lender, the percentage identified as its Commitment Percentage opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1 , as such percentage may be modified by assignment or by an increase in Commitments in accordance with Section 2.10.
     “ Conflicts Committee ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Parent, as amended or restated from time to time.
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     “ Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (a) consolidated net income of the Parent plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining consolidated net income, (i) interest expense, (ii) income tax expense, and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, minus (c) equity in earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Parent, plus (d) the amount of cash dividends actually received during such period by the Parent on a consolidated basis from unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Parent or other Persons. Furthermore, (x) for purposes of the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), Parent’s consolidated net income and consolidated expenses shall be adjusted with respect to net income and expenses of non-wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, to the extent not already excluded from Consolidated Net Income, to reflect Parent’s pro rata ownership interest therein, and (y) the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA shall exclude amounts categorized as other income or other expense to the extent not already excluded from Consolidated Net Income. Consolidated EBITDA will be calculated in accordance with Section 7.10(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) to the extent applicable.
     “ Consolidated Indebtedness ” means, without duplication, all Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, excluding the face amount of undrawn Letters of Credit not supporting Indebtedness, Hybrid Securities and the Term Loans.
     “ Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day.
     “ Consolidated Interest Expense ” means interest expense as would appear on a consolidated statement of income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP; excluding the interest expense of each non-wholly owned Subsidiary in an amount equal to the aggregate ownership percentage of such Subsidiary’s equity interests by owners other than the Parent or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the extent not already excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense, to reflect Parent’s pro rata ownership interest therein, any changes in the fair market value of interest rate Swap Contracts, determined on a consolidated basis for such period, and any interest expense related to the Term Loans.
     “ Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day.
     “ Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided , that Consolidated Net Income shall not include (i) extraordinary gains or extraordinary losses, (ii) net gains and losses in respect of disposition of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, (iii) gains or losses attributable to write-ups or write-downs of assets, including mark-to-market gains or losses with respect to Swap Contracts permitted under Section 8.06(c), and (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles, all as reported in the Parent’s consolidated statement(s) of income for the relevant period(s) prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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     “ Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, at any date of determination, the total amount of consolidated assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom the value (net of any applicable reserves) of all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents and other like intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, in accordance with GAAP.
     “ Credit Documents ” means this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the LOC Documents, the Collateral Documents, any Notice of Borrowing, any Notice of Continuation/Conversion and all other related agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto.
     “ Credit Exposure ” means, as applied to each Lender (a) at any time prior to the termination of the Commitments, the sum of (i) Commitment Percentage of such Lender multiplied by the Revolving Committed Amount plus (ii) the Commitment Percentage of such Lender multiplied by the principal balance of the outstanding Term Loans and (b) at any time after the termination of the Commitments, the sum of (i) the principal balance of the outstanding Loans of such Lender plus (ii) such Lender’s Participation Interest in the face amount of outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans.
     “ Credit Facility Swap Contract ” means any interest rate Swap Contract entered into by a Credit Party with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender with respect to the Obligations.
     “ Credit Parties ” means the Borrower and the Parent.
     “ Debt Rating ” means, the long-term senior unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt rating of the Parent by the Designated Rating Agencies.
     “ Default ” means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
     “ Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that, at such time (a) has failed to make a Loan required pursuant to the term of this Credit Agreement, (b) has failed to pay to the Agent or any Lender an amount owed by such Lender pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement or (c) has been deemed insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction or has become subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or to a receiver, trustee or similar official.
     “ Designated Rating Agencies ” shall mean any of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and “ Designated Rating Agency ” shall mean any one of the foregoing.
     “ Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of any Property by a Credit Party (including the equity interests of any Subsidiary), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
     “ Dollars ” and “ $ ” means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.
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     “ East Tennessee ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.6(f).
     “ Effective Date ” means the date on or prior to August ___, 2007 on which the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been fulfilled (or waived in the sole discretion of the Lenders).
     “ Eligible Assignee ” means (a) any Lender approved by the Borrower, the Agent and the Issuing Lenders, (b) any existing Lender or an Affiliate of an existing Lender or (c) any other Person approved by the Borrower, the Issuing Lenders and the Agent (in each case, which approval by the Borrower, the Issuing Lenders and the Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided , that (A) the Borrower’s consent is not required during the existence and continuation of an Event of Default and (B) neither the Borrower nor an Affiliate of the Borrower shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee.
     “ Environmental Laws ” means, to the extent relating to exposure to hazardous or toxic substances or materials, any applicable and legally enforceable requirement of any Governmental Authority pertaining to (a) the protection of human health, safety, and the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) the conservation, management, or use of natural resources and wildlife, (c) the protection or use of surface water and groundwater or (d) the management, manufacture, possession, presence, use, generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release, threatened release, abatement, removal, remediation or handling of, or exposure to, any hazardous or toxic substance or material or (e) pollution (including any release to land surface water and groundwater) and includes, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 USC 9601 et seq., Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment of 1984, 42 USC 6901 et seq., Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 USC 1251 et seq., Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 USC 7401 et seq., Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, 15 USC 2601 et seq., Hazardous Materials Transportation Law, 49 USC App. 1501 et seq., Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 USC 651 et seq., Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 USC 2701 et seq., Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 USC 11001 et seq., National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 USC 4321 et seq., Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, 42 USC 300(f) et seq., any analogous implementing or successor law, and any amendment, rule, regulation, order, or directive issued thereunder.
     “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.
     “ ERISA Affiliate ” means an entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under common control with the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and which is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code.
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     “ Eurodollar Loan ” means a Loan bearing interest at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.
     “ Eurodollar Rate ” means with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, for the Interest Period applicable thereto, a rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate.
     “ Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” means, for any day, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect from time to time under Regulation D as the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental, emergency, special, or marginal reserves) applicable with respect to Eurocurrency liabilities, as that term is defined in Regulation D (or against any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate of Eurodollar Loans is determined).
     “ Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.1.
     “ Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Credit Parties hereunder (a) taxes measured by or imposed upon the net income of any Lender or its applicable lending office, the Agent, or other recipient (as the case may be), and all franchise taxes, taxes on doing business or taxes on the capital or net worth of any Lender or its applicable lending office, the Agent or other recipient (as the case may be), or any other similar taxes regardless of the name, in each case imposed by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Lender, the Agent, or other recipient (as the case may be) is organized or in which such Lender’s applicable lending office is located, or in which such Lender’s, the Agent’s, or other recipient’s principal executive office is located, or by reason of any nexus between the jurisdiction imposing such tax and such Lender, applicable lending office, the Agent or other recipient (as the case may be), other than a nexus arising solely from such Lender, the Agent or other recipient having executed, delivered or performed its obligations, or received payment under or enforced, this Credit Agreement or any Notes, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to Section 4.5), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Credit Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 4.4(c) or (d), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from any Credit Party with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 4.4(a).
     “ Extension of Credit ” means, as to any Lender, the making of a Loan by such Lender (or a participation therein by a Lender) or the issuance of, or participation in, a Letter of Credit by such Lender.
     “ Facility Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.4(a).
     “ Federal Funds Rate ” means for any day the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds
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brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided , that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to the Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Agent.
     “ Fee Letter ” means that certain letter agreement, dated as of April 4, 2007, among the Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and the Borrower, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.
     “ Fitch ” means Fitch, Inc.
     “ Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
     “ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to Section 1.3.
     “ Government Acts ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(k).
     “ Governmental Authority ” means any Federal, state, local or foreign court, monetary authority or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.
     “ Hybrid Securities ” means any trust preferred securities, or deferrable interest subordinated debt with a maturity of at least 20 years, which provides for the optional or mandatory deferral of interest or distributions, issued by the Parent or the Borrower, or any business trusts, limited liability companies, limited partnerships or similar entities (i) substantially all of the common equity, general partner or similar interests of which are owned (either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries) at all times by the Parent or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) that have been formed for the purpose of issuing hybrid securities or deferrable interest subordinated debt, and (iii) substantially all the assets of which consist of (A) subordinated debt of the Parent, the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Parent, and (B) payments made from time to time on the subordinated debt.
     “ Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services purchased, (c) all obligations of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to the property acquired, (d) all obligations of such Person under lease obligations which shall have been, or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases in respect of which such Person is liable as lessee, (e) the unreimbursed amount of all drafts drawn under any letters of credit issued for the account of such Person, and the face amount of all letters of credit issued to support Indebtedness available to be drawn (other than letter of credit obligations relating to indebtedness included in Indebtedness pursuant to another clause of this definition), (f) obligations of others secured by a Lien on property or assets of such Person,
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whether or not assumed (but in any event not exceeding the fair market value of the property or asset), (g) all guarantees of Indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above, (h) all amounts payable by such Person in connection with mandatory redemptions or repurchases of preferred stock, (i) any obligations of such Person (in the nature of principal or interest) in respect of acceptances or similar obligations issued or created for the account of such Person, (j) all Off Balance Sheet Indebtedness of such Person and (k) obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any interest rate Swap Contract, to the extent such obligations are classified as “indebtedness” for purposes of GAAP. Furthermore, for purposes of the foregoing clauses (a) through (k), Indebtedness of Parent shall be adjusted with respect to Indebtedness of non-wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of Parent with no recourse to Parent, Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary thereof, to the extent not already excluded from Indebtedness, to reflect Parent’s pro rata ownership interest therein.
     “ Initial Asset Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(d).
     “ Interest Payment Date ” means (a) as to Base Rate Loans and Swingline Loans, the first day of each calendar quarter and the Maturity Date and (b) as to Eurodollar Loans, the last day of each applicable Interest Period and the Maturity Date and, in addition, where the applicable Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan is greater than three months, then also on the last day of each three-month period during such Interest Period. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to be the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day.
     “ Interest Period ” means, with respect to Eurodollar Loans, a period of one, two, three or six months’ duration, as the Borrower may elect, commencing, in each case, on the date of the borrowing (including continuations and conversions of Eurodollar Loans); provided, however, (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (except that where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day), (b) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date and (c) where an Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to end, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month.
     “ Intermediary ” means either SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc. or KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., as securities intermediary under the Account Control Agreements, or any successor thereto.
     “ Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of the Capital Stock of another Person, (b) an Acquisition or (c) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person.
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     “ Investment Grade Rating ” means BBB- or better from S&P or Fitch or Baa3 or better from Moody’s.
     “ Investment Grade Rating Date ” means the date on which the Parent or the Borrower first achieves an Investment Grade Rating.
     “ Issuing Lender ” means Wachovia Bank, National Association or any other Lender as requested by the Borrower and agreed to by such Lender.
     “ Issuing Lender Fees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b)(ii).
     “ Joint Venture ” means any Person, other than an individual or a Subsidiary of the Parent, in which the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent holds or acquires an ownership interest (whether by way of capital stock, partnership or limited liability company interest, or other evidence of ownership).
     “ Letter of Credit ” means a Letter of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries by an Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.2, as such Letter of Credit may be amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced.
     “ Letter of Credit Fees ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.4(b)(i).
     “ Lender ” means any Person identified as a Lender on the signature pages hereto and any Eligible Assignee which may become a Lender by way of assignment in accordance with the terms hereof, together with their successors or permitted assigns.
     “ LIBOR Market Index Rate ” means, for any day, with respect to any Swingline Loan, the rate of interest per annum appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) for such day; provided , if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day, with a one-month maturity; provided , however, if more than one rate is specified on Telerate Page 3750, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates. If, for any reason, such rate is not available, the term “London Interbank Offered Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for the Interest Period applicable thereto, the rate of interest per annum appearing on such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) for such day; provided , if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day, with a one-month maturity; provided , however, if more than one rate is specified, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.
     “ Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease in the nature thereof).
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     “ Loans ” means the Revolving Loans, the Swingline Loans and the Term Loans.
     “ LOC Documents ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (b) any collateral security for such obligations.
     “ LOC Obligations ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the maximum amount which is then available to be drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus (b) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by an Issuing Lender but not theretofore reimbursed.
     “ London Interbank Offered Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for the Interest Period applicable thereto, the rate of interest per annum appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period; provided , however, if more than one rate is specified on Telerate Page 3750, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates. If, for any reason, such rate is not available, the term “London Interbank Offered Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for the Interest Period applicable thereto, the rate of interest per annum appearing on such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period; provided , however, if more than one rate is specified, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.
     “ Mandatory Borrowing ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(e).
     “ Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the business, financial positions or results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
     “ Maturity Date ” means the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, as extended pursuant to Section 2.10(c).
     “ Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.
     “ Multiemployer Plan ” means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
     “ Multiple Employer Plan ” means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer other than the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.
     “ Non-Excluded Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
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     “ Notes ” means the Revolving Notes, the Term Loan Notes and the Swingline Loan Notes, if any.
     “ Notice of Borrowing ” means a request by the Borrower for a Loan in the form of Exhibit 2.3 .
     “ Notice of Continuation/Conversion ” means a request by the Borrower for the continuation or conversion of a Loan in the form of Exhibit 2.5 .
     “ Obligations ” means, without duplication, all of the obligations of the Credit Parties to the Lenders and the Agent, whenever arising, under this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the LOC Documents, the Collateral Documents, Credit Facility Swap Contracts, Treasury Management Agreements or any of the other Credit Documents.
     “ Off Balance Sheet Indebtedness ” means any obligation of a Person that would be considered indebtedness for tax purposes but is not set forth on the balance sheet of such Person, including, but not limited to, (a) any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product of such Person, (b) the aggregate amount of uncollected accounts receivables of such Person subject at such time to a sale of receivables (or similar transaction) and (c) obligations of any partnership or joint venture that is recourse to such Person. Off Balance Sheet Indebtedness shall not include indemnifications of lenders by the Parent or the Borrower with respect to obligations of any Joint Venture or Subsidiary with an Investment Grade Rating in which the Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates has an ownership interest as of the Effective Date.
     “ Original Revolving Commitment ” means, as to each applicable Lender (including any Lender that purchases any portion of the Original Revolving Commitment by assignment), the Dollar commitment of such Lender with respect to the Original Revolving Committed Amount, as such Original Revolving Commitment may be modified by assignment.
     “ Original Revolving Commitment Percentage ” means, for each applicable Lender, the percentage identified as its Original Revolving Commitment Percentage opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1 (or on the applicable Assignment Agreement), as such percentage may be modified by assignment.
     “ Original Revolving Committed Amount ” means, the dollar amount of the Revolving Committed Amount as of the Effective Date (without giving effect to any increase in the Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to Section 2.10).
     “ Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under this Credit Agreement or under any Notes or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Credit Agreement or any Notes.
     “ Parent ” means Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
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     “ Participation Interest ” means the Extension of Credit by a Lender by way of a purchase or deemed purchase of a participation in Letters of Credit or LOC Obligations as provided in Section 2.2 or in any Swingline Loans as provided in Section 2.8 or in any Loans as provided in Section 3.8.
     “ Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d).
     “ PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereto.
     “ Permitted Acquisitions ” means (a) the Initial Asset Acquisition and (b) any other Acquisition by any Credit Party, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default is in existence or would be created thereby, (ii) the Person or assets being acquired by such Credit Party are engaged or used (or intended to be used), as applicable, primarily in the midstream energy business, (iii) such Acquisition has been approved by the Board of Directors or similar governing body of the target of such Acquisition (if required or applicable) and (iv) immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, the Parent is in compliance with Section 7.10 on a pro forma basis.
     “ Permitted Cash Collateral ” means each of the following instruments and securities to the extent having maturities (for purposes of this definition, “maturities” shall mean (i) weighted average life for asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, and the next reset date for auction rate securities and (ii) with respect to mutual funds, the weighted average maturity of the investments it owns) not greater than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof:
     (a) cash,
     (b) investments in money market mutual funds that are registered with the SEC and subject to Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and have a net asset value of 1.0,
     (c) U.S. Treasury Notes,
     (d) direct obligations of the United States (including obligations of agencies and sponsored enterprises of the United States) and other obligations whose principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States,
     (e) money market instruments (including, but not limited to, commercial paper, banker’s acceptances, time deposits and certificates of deposits) rated A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody’s at the time of purchase,
     (f) obligations of corporations or other business entities (including, bonds, notes and other structured obligations) rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase,
     (g) asset-backed securities rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase,
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     (h) mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase,
     (i) repurchase obligations that are collateralized no less than 102% of market value (including accrued interest) by obligations of the U.S. government or one of its sponsored enterprises or agencies,
     (j) municipal obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any municipality or other political subdivision of any such state rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase,
     (k) 7, 28 or 35 day auction rate securities rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase and
     (l) shares in bond mutual funds that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that invest solely in the items set forth in (a)-(k) above and rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase,
in each case above which is held in the Cash Collateral Account and is subject to the Account Control Agreement and in which the Agent has, on behalf of the Lenders, a first priority perfected security interest.
     Notwithstanding the above, at the time of purchase, no one issuer will be more than $30,000,000 of the value of the Permitted Cash Collateral. This rule excludes direct obligations of the United States, United States sponsored agencies and enterprises, money market funds, repurchase agreements and securities that have an effective maturity no longer than the next business day. United States sponsored agencies and enterprises are limited to the greater of 40% or $100,000,000 of the value of the Permitted Cash Collateral at time of purchase, per issuer. For purposes of calculating the amount of Permitted Cash Collateral on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account hereunder, Permitted Cash Collateral of an issuer that exceeds the $30,000,000 or the greater of 40% or $100,000,000 thresholds set forth above shall be excluded from such calculation.
     “ Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, association, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise (whether or not incorporated), or any government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.
     “ Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.
     “ Prime Rate ” means the per annum rate of interest established from time to time by the Agent at its principal office in Charlotte, North Carolina as its Prime Rate. Any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in the Prime Rate shall become effective as of 12:01 a.m. of the Business Day on which each change in the Prime Rate is announced by the
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Agent. The Prime Rate is a reference rate used by the Agent in determining interest rates on certain loans and is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged on any extension of credit to any debtor.
     “ Properties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12.
     “ Qualified Acquisition ” means a Permitted Acquisition, the aggregate purchase price for which, when combined with the aggregate purchase price for all other Permitted Acquisitions in any rolling 12-month period, is greater than or equal to $25,000,000.
     “ Qualified Project ” means the construction or expansion of any capital project of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the aggregate capital cost of which exceeds $10,000,000.
     “ Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments ” shall mean, with respect to each Qualified Project:
     (A) prior to the Commercial Operation Date of a Qualified Project (but including the fiscal quarter in which such Commercial Operation Date occurs), a percentage (based on the then-current completion percentage of such Qualified Project) of an amount to be approved by the Agent as the projected Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for the first 12-month period following the scheduled Commercial Operation Date of such Qualified Project (such amount to be determined based on customer contracts relating to such Qualified Project, the creditworthiness of the other parties to such contracts, and projected revenues from such contracts, capital costs and expenses, scheduled Commercial Operation Date, oil and gas reserve and production estimates, commodity price assumptions and other reasonable factors deemed appropriate by Agent), which may, at the Parent’s option, be added to actual Consolidated EBITDA for the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter in which construction of such Qualified Project commences and for each fiscal quarter thereafter until the Commercial Operation Date of such Qualified Project (including the fiscal quarter in which such Commercial Operation Date occurs, but net of any actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project following such Commercial Operation Date); provided that if the actual Commercial Operation Date does not occur by the scheduled Commercial Operation Date, then the foregoing amount shall be reduced, for quarters ending after the scheduled Commercial Operation Date to (but excluding) the first full quarter after its actual Commercial Operation Date, by the following percentage amounts depending on the period of delay (based on the period of actual delay or then-estimated delay, whichever is longer): (i) 90 days or less, 0%, (ii) longer than 90 days, but not more than 180 days, 25% , (iii) longer than 180 days but not more than 270 days, 50%, and (iv) longer than 270 days, 100%; and
     (B) thereafter, actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for each full fiscal quarter after the Commercial Operation Date, plus the amount approved by Agent pursuant to
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Part (A) above as the projected Consolidated EBITDA of Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for the fiscal quarters constituting the balance of the four full fiscal quarter period following such Commercial Operation Date; provided , in the event the actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for any full fiscal quarter after the Commercial Operation Date shall materially differ from the projected Consolidated EBITDA approved by Agent pursuant to Part (A) above for such fiscal quarter, the projected Consolidated EBITDA of Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for any remaining fiscal quarters included in the foregoing calculation shall be redetermined in the same manner as set forth in clause (A) above, such amount to be approved by the Agent, which may, at the Parent’s option, be added to actual Consolidated EBITDA for the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarters.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing:
     (i) no such additions shall be allowed with respect to any Qualified Project unless:
     (a) not later than 30 days prior to the delivery of any certificate required by the terms and provisions of Section 7.1(c) to the extent Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments will be made to Consolidated EBITDA in determining compliance with Section 7.10, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent written pro forma projections of Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project and
     (b) prior to the date such certificate is required to be delivered, the Agent shall have approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) such projections and shall have received such other information and documentation as the Agent may reasonably request, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and
     (ii) the aggregate amount of all Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments during any period shall be limited to 20% of the total actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such period (which total actual Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined without including any Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments).
     “ Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3(c).
     “ Registration Statement ” means Parent’s Form S-1 Registration Statement filed March 30, 2007 with the SEC, as amended through the date hereof.
     “ Regulation A, D, T, U, or X ” means Regulation A, D, T, U or X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.
     “ Reportable Event ” means a “reportable event” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to which the notice requirements to the PBGC have not been waived.
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     “ Required Collateral Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.13(b).
     “ Required Lenders ” means Lenders whose aggregate Credit Exposure constitutes more than 50% of the aggregate Credit Exposure of all Lenders at such time; provided , however, that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time then there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders the aggregate principal amount of Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time.
     “ Responsible Officer ” means the president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the applicable Credit Party.
     “ Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to Capital Stock of a Credit Party or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Capital Stock or on account of any return of capital to a Credit Party’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof), or any setting apart of funds or assets for any of the foregoing.
     “ Revolving Committed Amount ” means an amount equal to (a) FIVE HUNDRED MILLION Dollars ($500,000,000) as such amount may be reduced in accordance with Section 2.7 or increased pursuant to Section 2.10, minus (b) the outstanding principal amount of (i) the initial Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.1(b) and (ii) any additional term loans made pursuant to Section 2.11 that provide for an automatic increase in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof.
     “ Revolving Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
     “ Revolving Notes ” means the promissory notes of the Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the Loans provided pursuant to Section 2.1(a), individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such notes may be amended or modified from time to time and substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.9(a) .
     “ S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such division in the business of rating securities.
     “ Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means, with respect to a Credit Party or any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby a Credit Party or such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any assets used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such assets or other assets that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets being sold or transferred.
     “ Sanctioned Country ” means a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/ enforcement/ofac/sanctions/index.html , or as otherwise published from time to time.
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     “ Sanctioned Person ” means (a) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/index.html , or as otherwise published from time to time or (b) (i) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (ii) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country or (iii) a person resident in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC.
     “ Single Employer Plan ” means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.
     “ Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (b) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature in their ordinary course, (c) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s assets would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged or is to engage, (d) the fair value of the assets of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person and (e) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed as the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
     “ Subsidiary ” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in which such person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50% equity interest at any time and (c) any other Person that is controlled by such Person and who for GAAP purposes is required to be consolidated into such Person’s consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise provided, as used herein, “Subsidiary” shall refer to a Subsidiary of the Parent.
     “ Swap Contract ” means, to the extent entered into on a fair market value basis at the time of entry, (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter
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into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
     “ Swingline Committed Amount ” means FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000).
     “ Swingline Lender ” means Wachovia Bank, National Association or any successor Swingline Lender.
     “ Swingline Loan ” or “ Swingline Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a).
     “ Swingline Loan Note ” means the promissory note of the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing the Swingline Loans provided pursuant to Section 2.8, as such promissory note may be amended or modified, from time to time and substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.9(c).
     “ Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
     “ Termination Event ” means (a) with respect to any Single Employer Plan, the occurrence of a Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA), (b) the withdrawal of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan, (c) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA, (e) any event or condition which might reasonably constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or (f) the complete or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan.
     “ Term Loans ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(b), and shall include additional term loans made pursuant to Section 2.11.
     “ Term Loan Committed Amount ” means an amount not to exceed TWO HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($250,000,000.00).
     “ Term Loan Note ” means the promissory notes of the Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the Loans provided pursuant to Section 2.1(b) or additional term loans pursuant to Section 2.11, individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such notes
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may be amended or modified from time to time and substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.9(b).
     “ Tier 1 Permitted Cash Collateral ” means Permitted Cash Collateral with maturities of not more than 30 days from the date of acquisition with the exception of auction rate securities which may have a re-set date of 35 days or less.
     “ Tier 2 Permitted Cash Collateral ” means Permitted Cash Collateral with maturities more than 30 days from the date of acquisition but not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition.
     “ Tier 3 Permitted Cash Collateral ” means Permitted Cash Collateral with maturities more than 90 days from the date of acquisition but not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition.
     “ Total Committed Amount ” means the sum of the Revolving Committed Amount plus the Term Loan Committed Amount.
     “ Treasury Management Agreement ” means any agreement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services provided by a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.
     “ Utilization Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(c).
     “ Utilized Revolving Loan Commitment ” means, for any period from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date, the amount equal to the daily average sum for such period of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans plus Swingline Loans plus LOC Obligations.
      1.2 Computation of Time Periods.
     For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding.” References in this Credit Agreement to “Articles”, “Sections”, “Schedules” or “Exhibits” shall be to Articles, Sections, Schedules or Exhibits of or to this Credit Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided.
      1.3 Accounting Terms.
     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a).
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      1.4 Time.
     All references to time herein shall be references to Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight time, as the case may be, unless specified otherwise.
SECTION 2.
LOANS
      2.1 Revolving and Term Loan Commitments .
     (a)  Revolving Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving loans to the Borrower in Dollars, at any time and from time to time, during the period from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date (each a “ Revolving Loan ” and collectively the “ Revolving Loans ”); provided , however, that (a) the sum of the aggregate amount of Revolving Loans outstanding plus the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, and (b) with respect to each individual Revolving Lender, such Revolving Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Revolving Loans plus such Revolving Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding LOC Obligations plus its pro rata share of Swingline Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount. Subject to the terms of this Credit Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to other provisions of this Credit Agreement, the Commitments hereunder shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
     (b)  Term Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make term loans to the Borrower in Dollars, at any time and from time to time during the period from the Effective Date to forty (40) days following the Effective Date (each a “ Term Loan ” and collectively, the “ Term Loans ”); provided, however, that (a) the Borrower may not request more than two (2) draws with respect to the Term Loans, one of which must be on the Effective Date, (b) the sum of the aggregate amount of Term Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Term Loan Committed Amount and (c) with respect to each individual Term Loan Lender, such Term Loan Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Term Loans shall not exceed such Term Loan Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Term Loan Committed Amount. Any amounts remaining under the Term Loan Committed Amount subsequent to the date forty (40) days after the Effective Date shall no longer be available and the Lenders shall have no further obligation to fund any additional Term Loans. Once repaid, Term Loans may not be reborrowed; provided , this Section 2.1 shall not limit Borrower’s right to request additional term loans pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof.
      2.2 Letters of Credit.
     (a) Issuance; Terms . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the LOC Documents, if any, and any other terms and conditions which an Issuing Lender may reasonably require (so long as such terms and conditions do not impose any financial obligation on or require any Lien (not otherwise contemplated by this Credit Agreement) to be given by the Borrower or conflict with any obligation of, or detract from any action which may be taken by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries under this Credit Agreement), the applicable Issuing Lender
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shall from time to time, upon request, issue in Dollars, and the Revolving Lenders shall participate in, letters of credit (the “ Letters of Credit ”) for the account of the Borrower (or, subject to Section 2.2(f), the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) from the Effective Date until the Maturity Date, in a form reasonably acceptable to such Issuing Lender; provided , however, that (i) the sum of the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations outstanding plus Revolving Loans outstanding plus Swingline Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount and (ii) with respect to each individual Lender, such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Revolving Loans plus its pro rata share of outstanding LOC Obligations plus its pro rata share of Swingline Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount. The issuance and expiry date of each Letter of Credit shall be a Business Day. No Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date extending beyond the earlier of (i) one (1) year after the date of issuance (which may provide for the automatic renewal thereof as provided therein) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days before the Maturity Date provided , if the Borrower so requests, the Issuing Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an “ Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Lender to prevent any such renewal at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than (A) thirty (30) days before the end of such twelve-month period, or (B) such later date to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued (the “ Nonrenewal Notice Date ”). Once an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Lender to permit the renewal of such Letter of Credit at any time prior to the date set forth in clause (ii) of the foregoing sentence; provided that the expiry date of such Letter of Credit complies with clause (ii) of the foregoing sentence. Each Letter of Credit shall be either (x) a standby letter of credit issued to support the obligations (including pension or insurance obligations), contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower, the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) a commercial letter of credit in respect of the purchase of goods or services by the Borrower, the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. Each Letter of Credit shall comply with the related LOC Documents.
     (b)  Notice and Reports . The request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be submitted in writing to the applicable Issuing Lender at least three Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance. Such request shall specify the date such Letter of Credit is to be issued and describe the terms of such Letter of Credit and shall be accompanied by a completed application in form and substance satisfactory to such Issuing Lender. Each Issuing Lender will notify the Agent when a Letter of Credit is issued and the details with respect thereto and shall provide to the Agent and, upon written request, to the Lenders a detailed report specifying the Letters of Credit which are then issued and outstanding and any activity with respect thereto which may have occurred since the date of any prior report, and including therein, among other things, the account party, the beneficiary, the face amount, and the expiry date as well as any payments or expirations which may have occurred. Each Issuing Lender will further provide to the Agent, promptly upon request, copies of the Letters of Credit.
     (c) Participations . Each Lender, upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, shall be deemed to have purchased without recourse a risk participation from the applicable Issuing Lender in such Letter of Credit and the obligations arising thereunder and any collateral relating thereto, in each case in an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of the obligations under such Letter of Credit, and shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume, as primary obligor and not as
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surety, and be obligated to pay to the applicable Issuing Lender therefor and discharge when due, its Commitment Percentage of the obligations arising under such Letter of Credit. Without limiting the scope and nature of each Lender’s participation in any Letter of Credit, to the extent that the applicable Issuing Lender has not been reimbursed as required hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each such Lender shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender its Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed drawing in same day funds on the day of notification by the applicable Issuing Lender of an unreimbursed drawing pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) hereof. The obligation of each Lender to so reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a Default, an Event of Default, the Maturity Date or any other occurrence or event. Any such reimbursement shall not relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as hereinafter provided.
     (d) Reimbursement . In the event of any request for a drawing or any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower as to the amount to be paid as a result of such drawing and the date such payment is to be made by the applicable Issuing Lender (the “ Payment Date ”). If the Commitments remain in effect on the Payment Date, the Borrower shall, unless the Borrower otherwise instructs the Agent by not less than one Business Day’s prior notice, be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan at the Base Rate in the amount of the drawing as provided in subsection (e) hereof, the proceeds of which will be used to satisfy the reimbursement obligations. The Borrower shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender on the Payment Date either with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan obtained hereunder or otherwise in same day funds as provided herein or in the LOC Documents. If the Borrower shall fail to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender as provided hereinabove, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus two percent (2%). The Borrower’s reimbursement obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under all circumstances irrespective of (but without waiver of) any rights of set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment that the applicable account party or the Borrower may claim or have against the Issuing Lenders, the Agent, the Lenders, the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit drawn upon or any other Person, including without limitation, any defense based on any failure of the applicable account party or the Borrower to receive consideration or the legality, validity, regularity or unenforceability of the Letter of Credit. The applicable Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Lenders of the amount of any unreimbursed drawing and each Lender shall promptly pay to the Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender, in Dollars and in immediately available funds, the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed drawing. Such payment shall be made on the day such notice is received by such Lender from the applicable Issuing Lender if such notice is received at or before 2:00 p.m., otherwise such payment shall be made at or before 12:00 Noon on the Business Day next succeeding the day such notice is received. If such Lender does not pay such amount to the applicable Issuing Lender in full upon such request, such Lender shall, on demand, pay to the Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender interest on the unpaid amount during the period from the date the Lender received the notice regarding the unreimbursed drawing until such Lender pays such amount to the applicable Issuing Lender in full at a rate per annum equal to, if paid within two Business Days of the date of drawing, the Federal Funds Rate and thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate. Each Lender’s obligation to make such payment to the applicable Issuing Lender, and the right of the applicable Issuing Lender to receive the same, shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever and without regard to the termination of this Credit Agreement or the Commitments hereunder, the existence of a Default or Event of Default or the acceleration of the obligations hereunder and shall
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be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by a Lender to the applicable Issuing Lender, such Lender shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Lender or such Lender, acquire a participation in an amount equal to such payment (excluding the portion of such payment constituting interest owing to the applicable Issuing Lender) in the related unreimbursed drawing portion of the LOC Obligation and in the interest thereon and in the related LOC Documents, and shall have a claim against the Borrower with respect thereto.
     (e)  Repayment with Revolving Loans . On any day on which the Borrower shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested, a Revolving Loan borrowing to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Agent shall give notice to the Lenders that a Revolving Loan has been requested or deemed requested in connection with a drawing under a Letter of Credit, in which case a Revolving Loan borrowing comprised solely of Base Rate Loans (each such borrowing, a “ Mandatory Borrowing ”) shall be immediately made from all Lenders (without giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2 or otherwise) pro rata based on each Lender’s respective Commitment Percentage and the proceeds thereof shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for application to the respective LOC Obligations. Each such Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make such Revolving Loans immediately upon any such request or deemed request on account of each such Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding sentence and on the same such date notwithstanding (i) the amount of Mandatory Borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for borrowings of Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or Event of Default then exists, (iv) failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loans to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder or (v) any reduction in the Revolving Committed Amount. In the event that any Mandatory Borrowing cannot be made on the date otherwise required above, whether because the Commitments have terminated or for any other reason (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower), then each such Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith fund (as of the date the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) its Participation Interest in the outstanding LOC Obligations; provided, that in the event any Lender shall fail to fund its Participation Interest on the day it is required to do so, then the amount of such Lender’s unfunded Participation Interest therein shall bear interest payable to the applicable Issuing Lender upon demand, at the rate equal to, if paid within two Business Days of such date, the Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate.
     (f)  Designation of Subsidiaries as Account Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit Agreement, a Letter of Credit issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such Letter of Credit is issued for the account of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, that notwithstanding such statement, the Borrower shall be the actual account party for all purposes of this Credit Agreement for such Letter of Credit and such statement shall not affect the Borrower’s reimbursement obligations hereunder with respect to such Letter of Credit.
     (g) Modification and Extension . Except for non-substantive amendments to any Letter of Credit for the purpose of correcting errors or ambiguities or to allow for administrative convenience (which amendments each Issuing Bank may make in its discretion with the consent of the Borrower), the amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal of any Letter of
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Credit shall be deemed to be an issuance of such Letter of Credit. If any Letter of Credit contains a provision pursuant to which it is deemed to be automatically renewed unless notice of termination is given by the applicable Issuing Lender, such Issuing Lender shall timely give notice of termination if (i) as of close of business on the seventeenth day prior to the last day upon which such Issuing Lender’s notice of termination may be given to the beneficiaries of such Letter of Credit, such Issuing Lender has received a notice of termination from the Borrower or a notice from the Agent that the conditions to issuance of such Letter of Credit have not been satisfied or (ii) the renewed Letter of Credit would have a term not permitted by subsection (a) above.
     (h)  Uniform Customs and Practices . An Issuing Lender may have the Letters of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (the “ UCP ”) or the International Standby Practices 1998 (the “ ISP98 ”), in either case as published as of the date of issue by the International Chamber of Commerce, in which case the UCP or ISP98, as applicable, may be incorporated therein and deemed in all respects to be a part thereof.
     (i)  Responsibility of Issuing Lenders . It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligations of each Issuing Lender hereunder to the Lenders are only those expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and that each Issuing Lender shall be entitled to assume that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.2 have been satisfied unless it shall have acquired actual knowledge that any such condition precedent has not been satisfied; provided, however, that nothing set forth in this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to recover from an Issuing Lender any amounts made available by such Lender to such Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.2 in the event that it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.
     (j)  Conflict with LOC Documents . In the event of any conflict between this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document, this Credit Agreement shall govern.
     (k)  Indemnification of Issuing Lenders .
     (i) In addition to its other obligations under this Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and hold the Issuing Lenders harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Issuing Lenders may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or (B) the failure of an Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority (all such acts or omissions, herein called “ Government Acts ”).
     (ii) As between the Borrower and the Issuing Lenders, the Borrower shall assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof. The Issuing Lenders shall not be responsible for: (A) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or
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assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) failure of the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon a Letter of Credit; (D) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (E) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (F) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under a Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; and (G) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of an Issuing Lender, including, without limitation, any Government Acts. None of the above shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of an Issuing Lender’s rights or powers hereunder.
     (iii) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by an Issuing Lender, under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuing Lender under any resulting liability to the Borrower. It is the intention of the parties that this Credit Agreement shall be construed and applied to protect and indemnify the Issuing Lenders against any and all risks involved in the issuance of the Letters of Credit, all of which risks are hereby assumed by the Borrower, including, without limitation, any and all risks of the acts or omissions, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future Government Acts. An Issuing Lender shall not, in any way, be liable for any failure by such Issuing Lender or anyone else to pay any drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result of any Government Acts or any other cause beyond the control of such Issuing Lender.
     (iv) Nothing in this subsection (k) is intended to limit the reimbursement obligation of the Borrower contained in this Section 2.2. The obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (k) shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omission of any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall in any way affect or impair the rights of an Issuing Lender to enforce any right, power or benefit under this Credit Agreement.
     (v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection (k) or any of the Credit Documents, the Borrower shall have no obligation to indemnify an Issuing Lender in respect of any liability incurred by such Issuing Lender arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing in this Credit Agreement shall relieve an Issuing Lender of any liability to the Borrower in respect of any action taken by such Issuing Lender which action constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender or a violation of the UCP, the ISP98 or Uniform Commercial Code (as applicable), as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
      2.3 Method of Borrowing for Revolving Loans and Term Loans.
     By no later than 11:00 a.m. (a) on the date of the requested borrowing of Loans (other than Swingline Loans) that will be Base Rate Loans or (b) three Business Days prior to the date of the requested borrowing of Loans that will be Eurodollar Loans, the Borrower shall submit a written
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Notice of Borrowing in the form of Exhibit 2.3 to the Agent setting forth (i) the amount requested, (ii) whether such Loans shall accrue interest at the Adjusted Base Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, (iii) with respect to Loans that will be Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iv) certification that the Borrower has complied in all respects with Section 5.2.
      2.4 Funding of Revolving Loans and Term Loans.
     Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, the Agent shall promptly inform the Lenders as to the terms thereof. Each such Lender shall make its Commitment Percentage of the requested Revolving Loans or Term Loans, as applicable, available to the Agent by 2:00 p.m. on the date specified in the Notice of Borrowing by deposit, in Dollars, of immediately available funds at the Agency Services Address. The amount of the requested Loans will then be made available to the Borrower by the Agent by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of such office of the Agent, to the extent the amount of such Loans are made available to the Agent.
     No Lender shall be responsible for the failure or delay by any other Lender in its obligation to make Loans under this Section 2.4; provided , however, that the failure of any Lender to fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder. Unless the Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of any such Loan that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Agent its portion of the Loans to be made on such date, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Agent on the date of such Loans, and the Agent in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion but without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Agent, the Agent shall be able to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Agent’s demand therefor, the Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount within two Business Days to the Agent. The Agent shall also be entitled to recover from the Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Agent at a per annum rate equal to (a) from the Borrower at the applicable rate for such Loan pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing and (b) from a Lender at the Federal Funds Rate.
      2.5 Continuations and Conversions.
     The Borrower shall have the option (subject to the limitations set forth below), on any Business Day, to continue existing Eurodollar Loans for a subsequent Interest Period, to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans or to convert Eurodollar Loans into Base Rate Loans; provided , however, that (a) each such continuation or conversion must be requested by the Borrower pursuant to a written Notice of Continuation/Conversion, in the form of Exhibit 2.5 , in compliance with the terms set forth below, (b) if a Eurodollar Loan is continued or converted into a Base Rate Loan on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then the Borrower shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 4.3, (c) Eurodollar Loans may not be continued nor may Base Rate Loans be converted into Eurodollar Loans during the existence and continuation of a Default or Event of Default and (d) any request to extend a Eurodollar Loan that fails to comply with the terms hereof or any failure to request an extension of a Eurodollar Loan at the end of an Interest Period shall constitute a conversion to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the
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applicable Interest Period. Each continuation or conversion must be requested by the Borrower no later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the date for a requested conversion of a Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan or (ii) three Business Days prior to the date for a requested continuation of a Eurodollar Loan or conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan, in each case pursuant to a written Notice of Continuation/Conversion submitted to the Agent which shall set forth (A) whether the Borrower wishes to continue or convert such Loans and (B) if the request is to continue a Eurodollar Loan or convert a Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan, the Interest Period applicable thereto.
      2.6 Minimum Amounts.
     Each request for a Revolving Loan or a Term Loan or a conversion or continuation hereunder shall be subject to the following requirements: (a) each Eurodollar Loan that is a Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 (and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof), (b) each Base Rate Loan that is a Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum amount of the lesser of $10,000,000 (and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) or the remaining amount available to be borrowed, (c) any Term Loan shall be in a minimum amount of the lesser of $10,000,000 or the remaining amount available to be borrowed, and (d) no more than ten Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any one time. For the purposes of this Section, all Eurodollar Loans with the same Interest Periods that begin and end on the same date shall be considered as one Eurodollar Loan, but Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods, even if they begin on the same date, shall be considered separate Eurodollar Loans.
      2.7 Reductions of Revolving Committed Amount.
     Upon at least five (5) Business Days’ notice, the Borrower shall have the right to permanently terminate or reduce the aggregate unused amount of the Revolving Committed Amount at any time or from time to time; provided , that (a) each partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount at least equal to $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such amount, (b) no reduction shall be made which would reduce the Revolving Committed Amount to an amount less than the aggregate amount of the then outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of the then outstanding LOC Obligations plus the aggregate amount of then outstanding Swingline Loans. Any reduction in (or termination of) the Revolving Committed Amount shall be permanent and may not be reinstated.
      2.8 Swingline Loans.
     (a) Swingline Commitment . Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the Swingline Lender, in its individual capacity, agrees to make loans to the Borrower in Dollars, at any time and from time to time, during the period from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date (each a “ Swingline Loan ” and collectively, the “ Swingline Loans ”); provided, however, that (i) the sum of the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding plus Revolving Loans outstanding plus LOC Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, (ii) the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any one time shall not exceed the Swingline Committed Amount, and (iii) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
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     (b) Notice of Borrowing and Funding . By no later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the requested borrowing of Swingline Loans, the Borrower shall submit a written Notice of Borrowing in the form of Exhibit 2.3 to the Agent setting forth (i) the amount requested and (ii) certification that the Borrower has complied in all respects with Section 5.2. Swingline Loan borrowings shall be made in minimum amounts of $500,000 and in integral amounts of $100,000 in excess thereof. The amount of the requested Swingline Loans will then be made available to the Borrower by the Swingline Lender by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of such office of the Agent.
     (c) Repayment of Swingline Loans . The Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written notice to the Borrower, demand repayment of its Swingline Loans by way of a Revolving Loan borrowing, in which case the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan borrowing comprised entirely of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such Swingline Loans; provided , however , that, in the following circumstances, any such demand shall also be deemed to have been given one (1) Business Day prior to each of (i) the date not more than fourteen Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made, (ii) the Maturity Date, (iii) the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 9.1(e), (iv) upon acceleration of the Obligations hereunder, whether on account of an Event of Default described in Section 9.1(e) or any other Event of Default and (v) the exercise of remedies in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2 hereof (each such Revolving Loan borrowing made on account of any such deemed request therefor as provided herein being hereinafter referred to as a “ Mandatory Swingline Borrowing ”). Each Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make such Revolving Loans on the day such notice is received by the Lenders from the Agent if such notice is received at or before 2:00 p.m., otherwise such payment shall be made at or before 12:00 noon on the Business Day next succeeding the day such notice is received, in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (A) the amount of the Mandatory Swingline Borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for borrowings of Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (B) whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (C) whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (D) failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loans to be made by the time otherwise required in Section 2.3, (E) the date of such Mandatory Swingline Borrowing, or (F) any reduction in the Revolving Committed Amount or termination of the Commitments immediately prior to such Mandatory Swingline Borrowing or contemporaneously therewith. In the event that any Mandatory Swingline Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code), then each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date the Mandatory Swingline Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such Participation Interests in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause each such Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon its respective Commitment Percentage (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2); provided that (x) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the respective Participation Interests is purchased, and (y) at the time any purchase of Participation Interests pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing Revolving Lender shall be required to
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pay to the Swingline Lender interest on the principal amount of such Participation Interests purchased for each day from and including the day upon which the Mandatory Swingline Borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such participation, at the rate equal to, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the date of the Mandatory Swingline Borrowing, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, and thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate.
      2.9 Notes.
     (a) The Revolving Loans made by a Lender, upon request of such Lender, shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower payable to such Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.9(a) (the “ Revolving Notes ”).
     (b) The Term Loans made by a Lender, upon request of such Lender, shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower payable to such Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.9(b) (the “ Term Loan Notes ”).
     (c) The Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, upon request of the Swingline Lender, shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the Swingline Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.9(c) (the “ Swingline Loan Note ”).
      2.10 Increases in Revolving Committed Amount; Extension of Maturity Date
     (a) Requested Increases . The Borrower shall have the right, prior to the Maturity Date and with the consent of the Agent and the Issuing Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) with respect to the identity of any new Lender, from time to time during the term of this Credit Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, to increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of the request or the proposed increase in the Revolving Committed Amount and all conditions precedent for a Loan set forth in Section 5.2(b) and (c) have been satisfied, (ii) such increase must be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such amount, (iii) the Revolving Committed Amount shall not be increased to an amount greater than SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($750,000,000) less any principal amounts outstanding under any Term Loans that by their terms automatically increase the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure as provided in Section 3.2(a)(iii), (iv) no individual Lender’s Commitment may be increased without such Lender’s written consent, (v) the Borrower shall execute and deliver such Revolving Note(s) as are necessary to reflect the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, (vi) Schedule 1.1 shall be amended to reflect the revised Revolving Committed Amount and revised Commitments and Commitment Percentages of the Lenders and (vii) if any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of an increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower will prepay (provided that any such prepayment shall be subject to Section 4.3) one or more existing Revolving Loans in an amount necessary such that after giving effect to the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount each Lender will hold its Commitment Percentage (based on its share of the revised Revolving Committed Amount) of outstanding Revolving Loans.
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     Any such increase in the Revolving Committed Amount shall apply, at the option of the Borrower, to (x) the Commitment of one or more existing Lenders; provided that any Lender whose Commitment is being increased must consent in writing thereto and/or (y) the creation of a new Commitment to one or more institutions that is not an existing Lender; provided that any such institution (A) must conform to the definition of Eligible Assignee, (B) must have a Commitment of at least $10,000,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Agent and the Borrower and (C) must become a Lender under this Credit Agreement by execution and delivery of an appropriate joinder agreement or of counterparts to this Credit Agreement in a manner acceptable to the Borrower and the Agent.
     (b) Automatic Increases . The Revolving Committed Amount shall, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be automatically increased (without the consent of Lenders) and Revolving Loans made under such increased Revolving Committed Amount from time to time in order to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with Section 3.2(a)(iii). Upon any such increase, (i) each applicable Lender’s Original Revolving Commitment shall be increased automatically in accordance with its Original Revolving Commitment Percentage, (ii) Schedule 1.1 shall be amended to reflect the revised Revolving Committed Amount and the revised Commitments and, if applicable, Commitment Percentages of the Lenders and (iii) if the Borrower has previously increased the Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to Section 2.10(a) and any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of such increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower will prepay (provided that any such prepayment shall be subject to Section 4.3) one or more existing Revolving Loans in an amount necessary such that after giving effect to the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount each Lender will hold its Commitment Percentage (as revised due to the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount) of outstanding Revolving Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, no Commitment or Commitment Percentage obtained by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(a) shall be subject to increase pursuant to this Section 2.10(b) or Section 3.2(a)(iii).
     (c) Extension of Maturity Date . The Borrower may make unlimited requests for one-year extensions of the Maturity Date by delivering a written request for same to the Agent no earlier than 30 days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and no later than 30 days prior to the Maturity Date (or previously extended Maturity Date pursuant hereto). Any such extension shall be effective if (i) consented to by Required Lenders within thirty (30) days after such request, (ii) on the Maturity Date as it existed immediately before such extension (A) the Commitments of the dissenting Lenders are terminated (which termination shall be effective automatically), (B) all amounts owing to such dissenting Lenders are paid in full (which payments shall not be subject to Section 3.6(a)), and (C) the total Commitments are permanently reduced by an amount equal to such dissenting Lenders’ Commitments so terminated, except to the extent that the Commitments of the dissenting Lenders are replaced pursuant to Section 2.10(a) and/or one or more Lenders agree(s) to increase their respective Commitment(s), (iii) all conditions precedent for a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit set forth in Section 5.2 have been satisfied, and (iv) the Borrower does not withdraw its request for such extension before the Maturity Date (or previously extended Maturity Date pursuant hereto).
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      2.11 Additional Term Loans.
     (a) The Borrower shall have the right, prior to the Maturity Date and with the consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) with respect to the identity of any new Lender, from time to time during the term of this Credit Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, to request additional term loans (which may or may not by their terms, at the election of the Borrower, automatically increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure as provided in Section 3.2(a)(iii)); provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of the request or the proposed additional term loans and all conditions precedent for a Loan set forth in Section 5.2(b), (c) and (e) have been satisfied, (ii) such increase must be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such amount, (iii) no such additional term loan may by its terms provide for an automatic increase in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure as provided in Section 3.2(a)(iii), if the sum of (x) such additional term loans, plus the (y) Revolving Committed Amount, plus (z) any principal amounts outstanding under any Term Loans that by their terms automatically increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure as provided in Section 3.2(a)(iii), shall exceed SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($750,000,000), (iv) no individual Lender shall be required to make any such additional term loan without such Lender’s written consent, (v) the Borrower shall execute and deliver such Term Note(s) and amendments and collateral documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and provide Permitted Cash Collateral as required pursuant to Section 7.13 hereof to collateralize such additional Term Loans, and (vi) Schedule 1.1 shall be amended to reflect the revised Term Loan Amounts of the Lenders.
     Any such additional term loans shall be made, at the option of the Borrower, by (x) one or more existing Lenders; provided that any Lender making such additional term loan must consent in writing thereto and/or (y) one or more institutions that is not an existing Lender; provided that any such institution (A) must conform to the definition of Eligible Assignee, (B) must have an additional term loan of at least $10,000,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Agent and the Borrower and (C) must become a Lender under this Credit Agreement by execution and delivery of an appropriate joinder agreement or of counterparts to this Credit Agreement in a manner acceptable to the Borrower and the Agent.
SECTION 3.
PAYMENTS
      3.1 Interest.
     (a) Interest Rate .
     (i) All Base Rate Loans shall accrue interest at the Adjusted Base Rate.
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     (ii) All Eurodollar Loans shall accrue interest at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate applicable to such Eurodollar Loan.
     (iii) All Swingline Loans shall accrue interest at the Adjusted LIBOR Market Index Rate applicable to such Swingline Loan.
     (b) Default Rate of Interest . Upon the occurrence, and during the continuation, of an Event of Default, all past due principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, past due interest on, the Loans and any other past due amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate equal to one percent (1%) plus the rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable, then the rate for Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus one percent (1%) per annum).
     (c) Interest Payments . Interest on Loans shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date.
      3.2 Prepayments.
     (a) Voluntary Prepayments . The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Loans in whole or in part from time to time without premium or penalty; provided , however, that (i) Eurodollar Loans may only be prepaid on three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and any prepayment of Eurodollar Loans will be subject to Section 4.3; (ii) each such partial prepayment of Revolving Loans shall be in the minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 and each such partial prepayment of Term Loans shall be in the minimum principal amount of $1,000,000; (iii) any prepayment of Term Loans that by their terms automatically increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure as provided in this Section 3.2(a)(iii), in connection with such a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure, shall, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, cause the Revolving Committed Amount to be increased in the same dollar amount of such prepayment (and Revolving Loans automatically made under such increased Revolving Committed Amount in order to make such prepayment of the Term Loans) and shall be subject to Section 2.10(b), and (iv) any prepayment of Term Loans shall be applied first (x) to Term Loans that by their terms automatically increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount upon any prepayment thereof in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure as provided in Section this 3.2(a)(iii), to be applied to such Term Loans in the order in which such Term Loans were made, and then (y) to the remaining Term Loans. Any prepayments made under this Section 3.2(a) shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities and shall be subject to Section 4.3. The increase in the Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to this clause (a) may, upon request of the Borrower, occur concurrently with the prepayment of the Term Loans.
     (b) Mandatory Prepayments . If at any time the amount of Revolving Loans outstanding plus Swingline Loans outstanding plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations outstanding exceeds the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower shall immediately make a principal payment to the Agent in a manner and in an amount necessary to be in compliance with Sections 2.1(a), 2.2 and 2.8 and as directed by the Agent. All
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amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 3.2(b)(i) shall be (A) applied first to Swingline Loans, then to Revolving Loans (first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in the direct order of Interest Period maturities) and then to a cash collateral account in respect of LOC Obligations and (B) subject to Section 4.3.
      3.3 Payment of Loans in full at Maturity.
     On the Maturity Date, the entire outstanding principal balance of all Loans, together with accrued but unpaid interest and all other sums owing under this Credit Agreement, shall be due and payable in full, unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.2.
      3.4 Fees.
     (a) Facility Fees . The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders, a facility fee (the “ Facility Fee ”) equal to the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees times the actual daily amount of Revolving Committed Amount (or, if the Commitments have terminated, on the outstanding amount of all Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and LOC Obligations), regardless of usage. The Facility Fee shall accrue at all times during the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the Maturity Date (and thereafter so long as any Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or LOC Obligations remain outstanding), including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Section 5.2 is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the 15 th day following the last day of each calendar quarter for the prior calendar quarter, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, and on the Maturity Date (and, if applicable, thereafter on demand). The Facility Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Margin for Facility Fees was in effect.
     (b)  Letter of Credit Fees .
     (i) Letter of Credit Fees . In consideration of the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent, for the pro rata benefit of each Lender, a per annum fee equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans in effect from time to time on the aggregate stated amount for each Letter of Credit from the date of issuance to the date of expiration (the “ Letter of Credit Fees ”). The accrued Letter of Credit Fees shall be due and payable in arrears on the 15 th day after the end of each calendar quarter of the Borrower (as well as on the Maturity Date) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter (or portion thereof), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date.
     (ii) Issuing Lender Fees . In addition to the Letter of Credit Fees payable pursuant to subsection (i) above, the Borrower shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account, without sharing by the other Lenders, (A) if the applicable Issuing Lender is Wachovia Bank, National Association, the fronting fee as described in the Fee Letter. or (B) if the applicable Issuing Lender is any other Lender, such other rate as may be agreed to between such Issuing
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Lender and the Borrower, in each case on the total sum of all Letters of Credit issued by the applicable Issuing Lender and outstanding during the applicable period and (C) the customary charges from time to time to the applicable Issuing Lender for its services in connection with the issuance, amendment, payment, transfer, administration, cancellation and conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit (collectively, the “ Issuing Lender Fees ”). The accrued Issuing Lender Fees shall be due and payable in arrears on the 15 th day following the last day of each calendar quarter of the Borrower (as well as on the Maturity Date) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter (or portion thereof), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date.
     (c)  Utilization Fees .
     (i) If on any day the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and LOC Obligations exceeds (A) fifty percent (50%) times (B) the Total Committed Amount, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent, for the pro rata benefit of each Lender, a utilization fee equal to the Applicable Margin for Utilization Fees multiplied by the Utilized Revolving Loan Commitment (the “ Utilization Fees ”).
     (ii) The accrued Utilization Fees shall be due and payable in arrears on the 15 th day following the last day of each calendar quarter of the Borrower for the immediately preceding calendar quarter (or portion thereof), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Effective Date.
     (d)  Administrative Fee . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent the annual administrative fee as described in the Fee Letter.
      3.5 Place and Manner of Payments.
     All payments of principal, interest, fees, expenses and other amounts to be made by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement shall be made without setoff, deduction or counterclaim and received not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date when due in Dollars and in immediately available funds by the Agent at the Agency Services Address. The Borrower shall, at the time it makes any payment under this Credit Agreement, specify to the Agent the Loans, Letters of Credit, fees or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails to specify, or if such application would be inconsistent with the terms hereof, the Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders in such manner as it reasonably determines in its sole discretion). The Agent will distribute such payments to the applicable Lenders on the same Business Day if any such payment is received prior to 2:00 p.m.; otherwise the Agent will distribute each payment to the applicable Lenders prior to 12:00 noon on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (subject to accrual of interest and fees for the period of such extension), except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension would cause the payment to be made in the next following calendar month, then such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.
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      3.6 Pro Rata Treatment.
     (a) Loans/Fees . Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, all borrowing of Revolving Loans (including each Mandatory Borrowing) and Term Loans, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Revolving Loan or Term Loan, each payment of interest on the Revolving Loans or Term Loans, each payment of Facility Fees and Utilization Fees, each payment of Letter of Credit Fees, each reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount and each conversion or continuation of any Revolving Loan or Term Loan, shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages; provided , that, if any Lender shall have failed to pay its applicable pro rata share of any Loan, then any amount to which such Lender would otherwise be entitled pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall instead be payable to the Agent until the share of such Loan not funded by such Lender has been repaid and any interest owed by such Lender as result of such failure to fund has been paid; and provided , further , that in the event any amount paid to any Lender pursuant to this Section 3.6 is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Agent, each Lender shall, upon the written request of the Agent, repay to the Agent the amount so paid to such Lender, with interest for the period commencing on the date such payment is returned by the Agent until the date the Agent receives such repayment at a rate per annum equal to, during the period to but excluding the date two Business Days after such request, the Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter, the Base Rate plus one percent (1%) per annum.
     (b) Letters of Credit . Each payment of unreimbursed drawings in respect of LOC Obligations shall be allocated to each Lender pro rata in accordance with its Commitment Percentage; provided , that, if any Lender shall have failed to pay its applicable pro rata share of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, then any amount to which such Lender would otherwise be entitled pursuant to this subsection (b) shall instead be payable to the applicable Issuing Lender; provided , further , that in the event any amount paid to any Lender pursuant to this subsection (b) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the applicable Issuing Lender, each Lender shall, upon the written request of the applicable Issuing Lender, repay to the Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender the amount so paid to such Lender, with interest for the period commencing on the date such payment is returned by the applicable Issuing Lender until the date the applicable Issuing Lender receives such repayment at a rate per annum equal to, during the period to but excluding the date two Business Days after such request, the Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter, the Base Rate plus one percent (1%) per annum.
      3.7 Computations of Interest and Fees.
     (a) Except for Base Rate Loans that are based upon the Prime Rate, on which interest shall be computed on the basis of a 365 or 366 day year as the case may be, all computations of interest and fees hereunder shall be made on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.
     (b) It is the intent of the Lenders and the Credit Parties to conform to and contract in strict compliance with applicable usury law from time to time in effect. All agreements between the Lenders and the Credit Parties are hereby limited by the provisions of this paragraph which shall override and control all such agreements, whether now
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existing or hereafter arising and whether written or oral. In no way, nor in any event or contingency (including but not limited to prepayment or acceleration of the maturity of any obligation), shall the interest taken, reserved, contracted for, charged, or received under this Credit Agreement, under the Notes or otherwise, exceed the maximum nonusurious amount permissible under applicable law. If, from any possible construction of any of the Credit Documents or any other document, interest would otherwise be payable in excess of the maximum nonusurious amount, any such construction shall be subject to the provisions of this paragraph and interest owing pursuant to such documents shall be automatically reduced to the maximum nonusurious amount permitted under applicable law, without the necessity of execution of any amendment or new document. If any Lender shall ever receive anything of value which is characterized as interest on the Loans under applicable law and which would, apart from this provision, be in excess of the maximum lawful amount, an amount equal to the amount which would have been excessive interest shall, without penalty, be applied to the reduction of the principal amount owing on the Loans and not to the payment of interest, or refunded to a Credit Party or the other payor thereof if and to the extent such amount which would have been excessive exceeds such unpaid principal amount of the Loans. The right to demand payment of the Loans or any other indebtedness evidenced by any of the Credit Documents does not include the right to receive any interest which has not otherwise accrued on the date of such demand, and the Lenders do not intend to charge or receive any unearned interest in the event of such demand. All interest paid or agreed to be paid to the Lenders with respect to the Loans shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated, and spread throughout the full stated term (including any renewal or extension) of the Loans so that the amount of interest on account of such indebtedness does not exceed the maximum nonusurious amount permitted by applicable law.
      3.8 Sharing of Payments.
     Each Lender agrees that, in the event that any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan, any unreimbursed drawing with respect to any LOC Obligations or any other obligation owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right of set-off, banker’s lien, counterclaim or otherwise (including, but not limited to, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code) in excess of its pro rata share as provided for in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other Lenders a participation in such Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations, in such amounts and with such other adjustments from time to time, as shall be equitable in order that all Lenders share such payment in accordance with their respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit Agreement. Each Lender further agrees that if a payment to a Lender (which is obtained by such Lender through the exercise of a right of set-off, banker’s lien, counterclaim or otherwise) shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Lender which shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase of a participation theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit to each Lender whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a participation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment, including set-off, banker’s lien or counterclaim, with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a holder of such Loan or other obligation in the amount of such participation. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender shall fail to remit to the Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender to the Agent or such other Lender pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments shall accrue interest thereon, for
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each day from the date such amount is due until the day such amount is paid to the Agent or such other Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.8 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this Section 3.8 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
      3.9 Evidence of Debt.
     (a) Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing each Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Credit Agreement. Each Lender will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly update its account or accounts from time to time, as necessary.
     (b) The Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 11.3(c), and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type and Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Agent hereunder from or for the account of the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof. The Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the subaccounts referred to in the preceding sentence and to promptly update such subaccounts from time to time, as necessary.
     (c) The entries made in the Register and subaccounts maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.9, and the entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 3.9, if consistent with the entries of the Agent, shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided , however , that the failure of any Lender or the Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 4.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
      4.1 Eurodollar Loan Provisions.
     (a) Unavailability . If, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period, (i) the Agent shall have determined in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that (A) Dollar deposits are not generally available in the London interbank Eurodollar market in the applicable principal amounts and Interest Period of a requested Eurodollar Loan or (B) by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or (ii) the Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of making or maintaining Eurodollar
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Loans for such Interest Period (as conclusively certified by such Lenders), the Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Upon delivery of such notice, (A) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans, (B) any Loans that were to have been converted to or continued as Eurodollar Loans shall be prepaid by the Borrower or converted to or continued as Base Rate Loans and (C) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted on the date of such notice to Base Rate Loans. Until the Agent has withdrawn such notice, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans.
     (b) Change in Legality . Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if any change, after the date hereof, in any law, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order) or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loan then, by written notice to the Borrower and to the Agent, such Lender may:
     (i) declare that Eurodollar Loans and conversions to or continuations of Eurodollar Loans, will not thereafter be made by such Lender hereunder, whereupon any request by the Borrower for, or for conversion into or continuation of, Eurodollar Loans shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a request for, or for conversion into or continuation of, Base Rate Loans, unless such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn; and
     (ii) require that all outstanding Eurodollar Loans made by it be converted to Base Rate Loans in which event all such Eurodollar Loans shall be converted to Base Rate Loans either (A) on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan if such Lender can lawfully continue to maintain and fund such Eurodollar Loan or (B) immediately if such Lender shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain and fund such Eurodollar Loan to such day.
     (c) Requirements of Law . If at any time a Lender shall incur increased costs or reductions in the amounts received or receivable hereunder with respect to the making, the commitment to make or the maintaining of any Eurodollar Loan or of agreeing to issue or participate in any Letters of Credit because of (i) any change after the date hereof in any law, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order) or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, including, without limitation, the imposition, modification or deemed applicability of any reserves, deposits or similar requirements (such as, for example, but not limited to, a change in official reserve requirements) or (ii) other circumstances affecting the London interbank Eurodollar market; then the Borrower shall pay to such Lender promptly upon written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender may determine in its sole discretion) as may be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any
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additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.1(c), it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, through the Agent, certifying (A) that one of the events described in this Section 4.1(c) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (B) as to the increased cost or reduced amount resulting from such event and (C) as to the additional amount demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof; provided , that no such amount shall be payable with respect to any period commencing more than 90 days prior to the date such Lender first notifies the Borrower of its intention to demand compensation therefor under this Section.
     (d) Regulation D Compensation . In the event that a Lender is required to maintain reserves of the type contemplated by the definition of “ Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ”, such Lender may require the Borrower to pay, contemporaneously with each payment of interest on the Eurodollar Loans, additional interest on the related Eurodollar Loan of such Lender at a rate per annum determined by such Lender up to but not exceeding the excess of (i)(A) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate divided by (B) one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage over (ii) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate. Any Lender wishing to require payment of such additional interest (x) shall so notify the Borrower and the Agent, in which case such additional interest on the Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall be payable to such Lender at the place indicated in such notice with respect to each Interest Period commencing at least three Business Days after the giving of such notice and (y) shall notify the Borrower at least three Business Days prior to each date on which interest is payable on the Eurodollar Loans of the amount then due it under this Section. Each such notification shall be accompanied by such information as the Borrower may reasonably request.
     Each determination and calculation made by a Lender under this Section 4.1 shall, absent manifest error, be binding and conclusive on the parties hereto. Any conversions of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall subject the Borrower to the payments required by Section 4.3 to the extent applicable. This Section shall survive termination of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
      4.2 Capital Adequacy.
     If any Lender has determined that the adoption or becoming effective, after the date hereof, of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein (after the date hereof), or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by such Lender (or its parent corporation) with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s (or parent corporation’s) capital or assets as a consequence of its commitments or obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender (or its parent corporation) could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s (or parent corporation’s) policies with respect to capital adequacy), then, upon notice from such Lender (which shall include the basis and calculations in reasonable detail supporting the compensation requested in such notice), and receipt by the Borrower of such written notice from such Lender (with a copy to the Agent) the Borrower shall be obligated to pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender on an after tax
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basis (after taking into account applicable deductions and credits in respect of the amount so indemnified) for such reduction; provided , that no such amount shall be payable with respect to any period commencing more than 90 days prior to the date such Lender first notifies the Borrower of its intention to demand compensation therefor under this Section. Each determination by any Lender of amounts owing under this Section 4.2 shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the parties hereto. The covenants of this Section 4.2 shall survive termination of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
      4.3 Compensation.
     The Borrower promises to indemnify each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto and (d) the payment, continuation or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan on a day which is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto or the failure to repay a Eurodollar Loan when required by the terms of this Credit Agreement. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to (i) an amount of interest calculated at the Eurodollar Rate which would have accrued on the amount in question, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert, continue or repay to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein minus (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank Eurocurrency market. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.3, it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, through the Agent, as to the additional amount demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. The covenants in this Section 4.3 shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
      4.4 Taxes.
     (a) Except as provided below in this Section 4.4, all payments made by any Credit Party under this Credit Agreement and any Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes. If any such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to an Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any Notes, (A) the amounts so payable to the Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Credit Agreement and any Notes had no such deduction or withholding been made, provided , however , that the Credit Party shall be entitled to deduct and withhold any Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes and shall not be required to increase any such
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amounts payable to any Foreign Lender if such Foreign Lender fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section 4.4 (but only if such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply materially prejudices such Credit Party), and (B) as promptly as possible after requested, such Credit Party shall send to the Agent for its own account or for the account of such Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by such Credit Party evidencing payment of any such withheld Non-Excluded or Other Taxes, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
     (b) If any Credit Party fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority, or fails to remit to the Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, Credit Parties shall indemnify the Agent and any Lender for any incremental Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure, whether or not such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, or by the Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The agreements in this Section 4.4 shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
     (c) Any Lender, if reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such documentation as is prescribed by applicable law as will enable the Borrower or the Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. In addition, each Foreign Lender shall:
         
 
  (i)   (A) on or before the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender hereunder or, in any event, no later than the time or times prescribed by applicable law, (x) deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI, or any successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to receive payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes, and (y) deliver an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax;
 
       
 
      (B) deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two further copies of any such form or certification on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower; and
 
       
 
      (C) obtain such extensions of time for filing and complete such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Agent; or
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     (ii) in the case of any Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent on or before the date such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender hereunder, two copies of (A) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (x) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (y) a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (z) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (B) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN;
     (iii) deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two further copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI, W-9 or any other such form on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent for filing and completing such forms); and
     (iv) agree, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to provide to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Agent) such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from or reduction of withholding with respect to payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes.
     (d) Notwithstanding the above, if any change in treaty, law or regulation (“Change in Law”) has occurred after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Agent, then such Lender shall be exempt from such requirements. Each Person that shall become a Lender or a participant of a Lender pursuant to Section 11.3 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all of the forms, certifications and statements required pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this Section 4.4; provided , that in the case of a participant of a Lender, the obligations of such participant of a Lender pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this Section 4.4, shall be determined as if the participant of a Lender were a Lender except that such participant of a Lender shall furnish all such required forms, certifications and statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased and, upon reasonable request by the Borrower or the Agent, such Lender shall provide a copy of all such forms and any other required forms (e.g., Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY) to the Borrower and the Agent.
     (e) If the Agent or a Lender determines in its sole discretion that it has received a refund of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes as to which any Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.4, it shall pay over an amount equal to such refund to such Credit Party (but only to the extent of additional amounts paid by such Credit Party under this Section 4.4 with respect to the Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with
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respect to such refund); provided, that such Credit Party, upon the request of the Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Credit Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Agent or such Lender in the event the Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection (e) shall not be construed to require the Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
      4.5 Replacement of Lenders.
     The Agent and each Lender shall use reasonable efforts to avoid or mitigate any increased cost or suspension of the availability of an interest rate under Sections 4.1 through 4.4 above to the greatest extent practicable (including transferring the Loans to another lending office or Affiliate of a Lender) unless, in the opinion of the Agent or such Lender, such efforts would be likely to have an adverse effect upon it. In the event a Lender makes a request to the Borrower for additional payments in accordance with Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.4, or suspends Eurodollar Loans under Section 4.1, or does not consent to a request to extent the Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.10(c), or does not consent to any amendment hereto consented to by Required Lenders, then, provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time, the Borrower may, at its own expense (such expense to include any transfer fee payable to the Agent under Section 11.3(b) and any expense pursuant to Section 4) and in its sole discretion, require such Lender to transfer and assign in whole (but not in part), without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of Section 11.3(b)), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement to an Eligible Assignee which shall assume such assigned obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided , that (a) such assignment shall not conflict with any law, rule or regulation or order of any court or other Governmental Authority and (b) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the assigning Lender in immediately available funds the principal of and interest accrued to the date of such payment on the portion of the Loans hereunder held by such assigning Lender and all other amounts owed to such assigning Lender hereunder, including amounts owed pursuant to Sections 4.1 through 4.4.
SECTION 5.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
      5.1 Closing Conditions.
     The obligation of the Lenders to make its initial Loan hereunder, and the obligation of any Issuing Lender to issue its initial Letter of Credit hereunder, is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions:
     (a) Executed Credit Documents . Receipt by the Agent of duly executed copies of (i) this Credit Agreement, (ii) the Notes, (iii) the Collateral Documents and (iv) all other Credit Documents, each in form and substance acceptable to the Lenders.
     (b) Organizational Documents . Receipt by the Agent of the following:
     (i) Partnership Documents . With respect to each Credit Party, a copy of the partnership agreement of such Credit Party, together with all amendments thereto
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certified to be true and complete by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the State of organization of such Credit Party and certified by an Authorized Officer of such Credit Party to be true and correct as of the Effective Date.
     (ii) Resolutions . Copies of resolutions, as appropriate, approving and adopting the Credit Documents to which each Credit Party is a party, the transactions contemplated therein and authorizing execution and delivery thereof and certified by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower to be in full force and effect as of the Effective Date.
     (iii) Good Standing . Copies of certificates of good standing, existence or their equivalent with respect to each Credit Party certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authorities of the State of organization of such Credit Party.
     (iv) Incumbency . An incumbency certificate certified by an Authorized Officer of the applicable Credit Parties to be true and correct as of the Effective Date.
     (c) Opinion of Counsel . Receipt by the Agent of an opinion from legal counsel to the Credit Parties, addressed to the Agent on behalf of the Lenders and dated as of the Effective Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
     (d) Asset Transfer . Receipt by the Lenders of such information as reasonably requested regarding the transfer of certain assets from Spectra Energy Corp and certain of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to the Parent and certain of its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date, including copies of all documentation evidencing such transfer, as described in the Registration Statement as filed on or prior to the Closing Date, with any material amendments thereto acceptable to the Lenders (the “ Initial Asset Acquisition ”).
     (e) IPO . Receipt by the Agent of confirmation that an initial public offering has been consummated by the Parent as of the Effective Date (or is simultaneously being consummated by the Parent), on terms described in the Registration Statement as filed on or prior to the Closing Date, with any material amendments thereto acceptable to the Lenders, that results in net cash proceeds to the Parent of not less than $150,000,000.
     (f) Financial Statements/Ownership Structure . Receipt by the Lenders of such financial information or other information regarding the Credit Parties and their assets, and the ownership of same, as the Lenders may reasonably request, including without limitation, information regarding the Initial Asset Acquisition.
     (g) Collateral . Receipt of the Agent of (i) Permitted Cash Collateral with a value of not less than the Required Collateral Amount, calculated after giving effect to the making of the Term Loan on the Effective Date and (ii) such other documentation and information as required herein or by the Collateral Documents.
     (h) Fees and Expenses . Payment by the Borrower of all fees and expenses owed by it to the Lenders, the Agent and the Co-Lead Arrangers, including, without limitation, payment to the Agent of the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
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     (i) Litigation; Environmental . As of the Effective Date: (i) there shall be no actions, suits, investigations or legal, equitable, arbitration or administrative proceedings pending or threatened against a Credit Party which are likely to be decided adversely to such Credit Party and if so decided would have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (A) each of the real properties owned or leased by the Credit Parties (the “ Properties ”) and all their operations at the Properties are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (B) there is no receipt of notice regarding violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the businesses operated by the Credit Parties (the “ Businesses ”), and (C) there are no conditions relating to the Businesses that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.
     (j) Material Adverse Effect . As of the Effective Date, no event or condition shall have occurred since December 31, 2006 that would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
     (k) Certificate . The Agent shall have received a certificate or certificates executed by an Approved Officer of the Parent, on behalf of the Credit Parties, as of the Effective Date stating that (i) each Credit Party is in compliance with all existing financial obligations, unless such non-compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) no action, suit, investigation or proceeding is pending or, to such officer’s knowledge, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or governmental instrumentality that purports to affect a Credit Party or any transaction contemplated by the Credit Documents, if such action, suit, investigation or proceeding is likely to be adversely determined and if adversely determined would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) the financial statements and information delivered to the Agent on or before the Closing Date were prepared in good faith and in accordance with GAAP and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of such date and for such period, with a calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, based upon Parent’s pro forma financial statements as of March 31, 2007 delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(f) hereof, after giving effect to the Initial Asset Acquisition, the IPO and the initial Loans hereunder, and identifying the Cash Collateral Account by name and account number, (iv) all consents and approvals of board of directors, equity holders, general partners, Governmental Authorities and third parties necessary in connection with the Initial Asset Acquisition, the IPO and the Credit Documents have been obtained, and (v) immediately after giving effect to this Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents and all the transactions contemplated herein and therein to occur on such date, (A) no Default or Event of Default exists and (B) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date made.
     (l) Patriot Act . Receipt by the Agent on behalf of each Lender at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Effective Date of all documentation and other information requested by any Lender in order to comply with the requirements of regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations.
     (m) Account Designation Letter . Receipt by the Agent of an executed counterpart of the Account Designation Letter.
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     (n) Other . Receipt by the Lenders of such other documents, instruments, agreements or information as reasonably requested by any Lender.
     (l) Minimum Commitments . The aggregate amount of Commitments of all Lenders on the Closing Date shall be not less than $500,000,000.
      5.2 Conditions to Loans and Issuances of Letters of Credit.
     In addition to the conditions precedent stated elsewhere herein, the Lenders shall not be obligated to make new Loans nor shall an Issuing Lender be required to issue, renew or extend a Letter of Credit (and the Lenders shall not be obligated to participate in any Letter of Credit) unless:
     (a) Request . The Borrower shall have timely delivered (i) in the case of any new Revolving Loan or Term Loan, to the Agent, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing, duly executed and completed, by the time specified in Section 2.1, (ii) in the case of any Letter of Credit, to the applicable Issuing Lender, an appropriate request for issuance of a Letter of Credit in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 and (iii) in the case of any Swingline Loan, to the Swingline Lender, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing, duly executed and completed, by the time specified in Section 2.8.
     (b) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties made by the Credit Parties in this Credit Agreement (other than as set forth in Section 6.12 and 6.14 hereof) are true and correct in all material respects at and as if made as of the date of the funding of the Loans or the issuance, renewal or extension of the Letters of Credit, as applicable (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly and exclusively relate to an earlier date).
     (c) No Default . No Default or Event of Default shall exist or be continuing either prior to or after giving effect thereto.
     (d) Availability . Immediately after giving effect to the making of a Loan (and the application of the proceeds thereof) or to the issuance of a Letter of Credit, as the case may be, the amount of Loans and LOC Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the maximum permitted by Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.8.
     (e) Cash Collateral . In the case of any new Term Loan, the Borrower shall have deposited into the Cash Collateral Account sufficient Permitted Cash Collateral so that, after giving effect to the making of such Term Loan, the value of all Permitted Cash Collateral maintained in the Cash Collateral Account is not less than the Required Collateral Amount.
     The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing and each request for a Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower of the correctness of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c) and (d) above.
SECTION 6.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
     Each Credit Party hereby represents and warrants to each Lender that:
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      6.1 Organization and Good Standing.
     Each Credit Party (a) is a limited partnership, limited liability company or a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation, (b) is duly qualified and in good standing and authorized to do business in every jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect and (c) has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.
      6.2 Due Authorization.
     Each Credit Party (a) has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to incur the obligations herein and therein provided for and (b) has been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership or limited liability company action to execute, deliver and perform this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
      6.3 No Conflicts.
     Neither the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein, nor performance of and compliance with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof by any Credit Party will (a) violate or conflict with any provision of its organizational documents or bylaws, (b) violate, contravene or conflict with any law, regulation (including without limitation, Regulation U or Regulation X), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to it, except as would not be reasonably expected to adversely affect any Credit Party’s ability to timely pay or perform the Obligations, or the validity or enforceability of the material terms of any Credit Document, (c) violate, contravene or conflict with contractual provisions of, or cause an event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound, except as would not be reasonably to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (d) result in or require the creation of any Lien upon or with respect to its properties other than the Liens hereunder and under the Collateral Documents.
      6.4 Consents.
     No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or Governmental Authority or third party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents that has not been obtained, except as would not be reasonably expected to adversely affect any Credit Party’s ability to timely pay or perform the Obligations, or the validity or enforceability of the material terms of any Credit Document.
      6.5 Enforceable Obligations.
     This Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents have been duly executed and delivered and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of each Credit Party which is a party thereto enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy or insolvency laws or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.
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      6.6 Financial Condition/Material Adverse Effect.
     The financial statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.1(a) and (b): (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to the provisions of Section 1.3) and (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes). Since the Effective Date, there has been no event or circumstance that, either individually or collectively, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that , on and after the Investment Grade Rating Date, Credit Parties make no further representation or warranty with respect to the foregoing.
      6.7 Taxes.
     Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has filed, or caused to be filed, all material tax returns (federal, state, local and foreign) required to be filed and paid all amounts of taxes shown thereon to be due (including interest and penalties) and has paid all other taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges (including mortgage recording taxes, documentary stamp taxes and intangibles taxes) owing by it, except (a) for such taxes which are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings, and against which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP or (b) where such nonfiling or nonpayment would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
      6.8 Compliance with Law.
     Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and requirements of Governmental Authorities applicable to it or to its properties (including, without limitation, ERISA, the Code and Environmental Laws), except where the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or such failure to comply would not have or would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
      6.9 Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock.
     The proceeds of the Loans hereunder will be used solely for the purposes specified in Section 7.7. None of such proceeds will be used for the purpose of (a) purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” as defined in Regulation U or Regulation X, (b) for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry “margin stock”, (c) for any other purpose which might constitute this transaction a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulation U or Regulation X or (d) for the acquisition of another Person unless the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) or stockholders, as appropriate, of such Person has approved such acquisition.
      6.10 Government Regulation.
     No Credit Party is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or controlled by such a company.
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      6.11 Solvency.
     Each Credit Party is and, after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, will be Solvent.
      6.12 Environmental Matters.
     Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (a) each of the real properties owned or leased by the Credit Parties (the “ Properties ”) and all their operations at the Properties are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (b) there is no receipt of notice regarding violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the businesses operated by the Credit Parties (the “ Businesses ”), and (c) there are no conditions relating to the Businesses that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.
      6.13 Subsidiaries.
     Set forth on Schedule 6.13 is a complete and accurate list of all Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, and the ownership of same; as annually updated by the list of subsidiaries filed as an exhibit to Parent’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
      6.14 Litigation.
     There are no actions, suits or legal, equitable, arbitration or administrative proceedings, pending or, to the knowledge of a Credit Party, threatened against such Credit Party which (a) are reasonably likely to be decided adversely against such Credit Party and (b) if so decided would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
      6.15 Collateral.
     This Credit Agreement and the Collateral Documents create valid security interests in, and Liens on, the Cash Collateral, which security interests and Liens are perfected first priority Liens prior to all other Liens. The value of the Permitted Cash Collateral is greater than or equal to the Required Collateral Amount.
      6.16 Material Contracts.
     Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all contracts necessary for the ongoing operation and business of such Credit Party or Subsidiary in the ordinary course except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
      6.17 Anti-Terrorism Laws.
     Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended. Neither any Credit Party nor any or its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B,
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Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the Patriot Act (as defined in Section 11.17(b)). None of the Credit Parties (i) is a blocked person described in section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) to the best of its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any such blocked person.
      6.18 Compliance with OFAC Rules and Regulations.
     None of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates (a) is a Sanctioned Person, (b) has more than 15% of its assets in Sanctioned Countries, or (c) derives more than 15% of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Countries. No part of the proceeds of any Extension of Credit hereunder will be used directly or indirectly to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country.
      6.19 Compliance with FCPA.
     Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries is in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq. , and any foreign counterpart thereto. None of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries has made a payment, offering, or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value (a) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official, foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (b) to a foreign official, foreign political party or party official or any candidate for foreign political office, and (c) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to direct business wrongfully to such Credit Party or its Subsidiary or to any other Person, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.
SECTION 7.
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
     Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect and until the Loans and LOC Obligations, together with interest, fees and other obligations hereunder, have been paid in full and the Commitments and Letters of Credit shall have terminated:
      7.1 Information Covenants.
     The Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Agent for further distribution to each Lender:
     (a) Annual Financial Statements . As soon as available, and in any event within 95 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Parent, a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent as of the end of such fiscal year, together with a related consolidated income statement and related statements of cash flows, capitalization and retained earnings for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing and whose opinion, which shall be furnished to the Agent, shall be to the effect that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for changes with which such accountants concur); provided ,
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that the Parent’s Form 10-K Annual Report as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, without exhibits, will satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(a).
     (b) Quarterly Financial Statements . As soon as available, and in any event within 50 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of the Parent a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together with a related consolidated income statement and related statement of cash flows for such fiscal quarter in each case setting forth in comparative form figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, and accompanied by a certificate of an Approved Officer of the Parent to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments to same; provided , that the Parent’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, without exhibits, will satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(b).
     (c) Officer’s Certificate . At the time of delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, a certificate of an Approved Officer of the Parent, substantially in the Form of Exhibit 7.1(c) , (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.10 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007, (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the Parent or the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth the amount of Off Balance Sheet Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of each such fiscal period, (iv) providing information to evidence compliance with Sections 8.2(m), 8.2(q), 8.4(i), 8.6(j), 8.7(h) and 8.7(i), and (v) providing such other information to evidence compliance with this Credit Agreement as reasonably requested by the Agent.
     (d) Reports . Promptly upon transmission or receipt thereof, copies of any material filings and registrations with, and reports to or from, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency.
     (e) Notices . Within five Business Days after any officer of a Credit Party with responsibility relating thereto obtaining knowledge thereof, such Credit Party will give written notice to the Agent immediately of (i) the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action such Credit Party proposes to take with respect thereto, and (ii) the occurrence of any of the following with respect to a Credit Party: (A) the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against such Credit Party the claim of which is likely to be decided adversely to such Credit Party and, if adversely determined, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) written notice of the institution of any proceedings against such Credit Party with respect to, or the receipt of written notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation or alleged violation of, any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, any Environmental Law) that is likely to be decided adversely to such Credit Party and, if adversely decided, would be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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     (f) ERISA . Upon a Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate obtaining knowledge thereof, such Credit Party will give written notice to the Agent promptly (and in any event within five Business Days) of: (i) any event or condition, including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes, or would be reasonably expected to lead to, a Termination Event if such Termination Event would have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed against a Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate, or of a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iii) the failure to make full payment on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts which a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates is required to contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as required to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Code with respect thereto; or (iv) any change in the funding status of any Plan that would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; together, with a description of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a statement by an officer of a Credit Party briefly setting forth the details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action, if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken with respect thereto. Promptly upon request, a Credit Party shall furnish the Agent and each of the Lenders with such additional information concerning any Plan as may be reasonably requested, including, but not limited to, copies of each annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Code, respectively, for each “plan year” (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).
     (g) Debt Rating Changes . Upon any change in its Debt Rating, the Parent or the Borrower shall promptly deliver such information to the Agent.
     (h) Other Information . With reasonable promptness upon any such request, such other information regarding the business, properties or financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
     Information required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which a Credit Party provides notice to the Agent that such information has been posted on the Securities and Exchange Commission website on the Internet at ww.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm (“ EDGAR ”)or at another website identified in such notice and accessible by the Agent without charge (which notice may be included in a certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(c)). Information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(c) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date delivered to the Agent. Information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date such information has been posted on EDGAR. Agent shall promptly post information delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a), (b) and (c) on behalf of the Credit Parties to the Lenders on IntraLinks, Syndtrak or other electronic medium chosen by the Agent.
      7.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises.
     Each Credit Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights, franchises and authority; provided , however, that, subject to Section 8.3, a Credit Party shall not be required to preserve any such
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existence, right or franchise if it in good faith determines that preservation thereof is no longer necessary or desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Lenders.
      7.3 Books and Records.
     Each Credit Party will keep, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves).
      7.4 Compliance with Law.
     Each Credit Party will comply, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with all laws (including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws and ERISA laws), rules, regulations and orders, and all applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its property, unless (a) the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
      7.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.
     Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay, settle or discharge (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its properties, before they shall become delinquent, (b) all lawful claims (including claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon any of its properties, and (c) all of its other Indebtedness as it shall become due; provided , however , that a Credit Party shall not be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy, claim or Indebtedness which (i) is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves therefor have been established in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the nonpayment of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
      7.6 Maintenance of Property; Insurance.
     (a) Each Credit Party will keep, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, all property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
     (b) Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain (either in the name of such Credit Party or in such Subsidiary’s own name) with financially sound and responsible insurance companies, insurance on all their respective properties in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (and with such self-insurance and risk retention where commercially reasonable) as are usually insured against by companies of established repute engaged in the same or a similar business; provided , that this Section 7.6 shall be satisfied by the use of self-insurance by a Credit Party or any such Subsidiary to the extent commercially reasonable for such Credit Party or such Subsidiary .
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      7.7 Use of Proceeds.
     The proceeds of the Revolving Loans may be used solely (a) to make cash distributions to Spectra Energy Corp and its subsidiaries on the Effective Date in connection with the Initial Asset Acquisition and (b) for working capital, permitted acquisitions, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of the Credit Parties. The proceeds of the initial Term Loans shall be used to make cash distributions to the Parent as described in the Registration Statement. The proceeds of the Swingline Loans may be used solely for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Credit Parties. The Borrower will use the Letters of Credit solely for the purposes set forth in Section 2.2(a).
      7.8 Inspections.
     Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Agent or the Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
      7.9 Maintenance of Ownership.
     Each Credit Party will maintain ownership of all Capital Stock of each Subsidiary that is a Credit Party, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens except as permitted by Section 8.3 and Section 8.4.
      7.10 Financial Covenants.
     (a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio . The Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007), shall be less than or equal to 5.00 to 1.0; provided that subsequent to the consummation of a Qualified Acquisition, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as at the end of the three consecutive fiscal quarters following such Qualified Acquisition, shall be less than or equal to 5.50 to 1.0.
     (b) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio . The Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, as at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007), shall prior to the Investment Grade Rating Date, be greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0.
     For purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in this Section 7.10:
     (i) with respect to the Initial Asset Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense shall, for the first twelve months subsequent to the Effective Date, be calculated on an annualized 365 day basis for the number of days actually elapsed since the Effective Date until the date of determination; and
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     (ii) with respect to all Permitted Acquisitions subsequent to the Effective Date, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to such newly acquired assets shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the applicable twelve month period of determination; provided , that with respect to all Permitted Acquisitions with limited or no prior operating history (or with a prior operating history that does not reliably indicate future operating results), Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to be the amount approved by the Agent as the projected Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Permitted Acquisition for the first twelve-month period following such Permitted Acquisition (such amount to be determined based on customer contracts relating to such Permitted Acquisition, the creditworthiness of the other parties to such contracts, and projected revenues from such contracts, capital costs and expenses, oil and gas reserve and production estimates, commodity price assumptions and other reasonable factors deemed appropriate by Agent).
     (iii) Consolidated EBITDA may include, at Parent’s option, any Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments as provided in the definition thereof.
      7.11 Material Contracts .
          Each Credit Party will comply, and will cause its Subsidiaries to comply, with all contracts necessary for the ongoing operation and business of such Credit Party or Subsidiary in the ordinary course, except where the failure to comply would not have or would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
      7.12 Reserved .
      7.13 Cash Collateral .
     (a) The Borrower shall maintain the Cash Collateral Account at all times that any portion of the Term Loans shall remain outstanding.
     (b) The Borrower shall, at all times, maintain Permitted Cash Collateral in the Cash Collateral Account with a value greater than or equal to the following (the “ Required Collateral Amount ”): (i) if all Permitted Cash Collateral is comprised entirely of Tier 1 Permitted Cash Collateral, 100.25% of the principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans, (ii) if Permitted Cash Collateral is not comprised entirely of Tier 1 Permitted Cash Collateral but is not composed of any Tier 3 Permitted Cash Collateral, 100.5% of the principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans or (iii) if any Permitted Cash Collateral is comprised of any Tier 3 Permitted Cash Collateral, 101% of the principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans. If, at any time, the Required Collateral Amount exceeds the value of the Permitted Cash Collateral, the Borrower shall immediately deposit additional Permitted Cash Collateral into the Cash Collateral Account to eliminate such excess. In accordance with the terms of the Account Control Agreement, the Borrower shall direct the investment of items deposited into the Cash Collateral Account; provided , that (1) all Cash Collateral shall consist of Permitted Cash Collateral at all times and (2) the Borrower shall not be permitted to sell any Permitted
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Cash Collateral prior to its stated maturity (if any) during the first two months following the Closing Date except pursuant to Section 7.13(c). The Borrower shall treat all income, gains or losses from the investment of items in the Cash Collateral Account as its own income or loss, and the Agent and the Lenders shall have no liability for any such gain or loss.
     (c) The Borrower shall be permitted to liquidate and/or withdraw Cash Collateral from the Cash Collateral Account to fund a Permitted Acquisition or capital expenditure; provided , that concurrently with such liquidation or withdrawal (i) the Revolving Committed Amount shall be automatically increased (without the consent of the Lenders), (ii) a Revolving Loan shall be made to the Borrower, (iii) the proceeds of such Revolving Loan shall be applied to prepay the principal amount of the Term Loans in an amount equal to the amount of Cash Collateral liquidated or withdrawn, and (iv) after such liquidation or withdrawal, the value of the Permitted Cash Collateral shall be greater than or equal to the Required Collateral Amount, as calculated after giving effect of such prepayment of the Term Loans. In the event that the Borrower shall elect to make such a withdrawal, the Agent shall direct the Intermediary to liquidate the applicable Cash Collateral and remit the proceeds to the Borrower.
     (d) If, at the end of any fiscal quarter of the Parent, the value of the Permitted Cash Collateral exceeds the Required Collateral Amount, then, upon the request of the Borrower, provided no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Agent shall direct the Intermediary to pay and transfer to the Borrower cash, to the extent available, in the Cash Collateral Account in an amount equal to such excess.
     (e) To secure the prompt payment in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise, of the Term Loans, the Borrower hereby grants to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of the Borrower in and to the Cash Collateral Account and the Cash Collateral and all other amounts maintained in the Cash Collateral Account.
SECTION 8.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
     Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect and until the Loans and LOC Obligations, together with interest, fees and other obligations hereunder, have been paid in full and the Commitments and Letters of Credit shall have terminated:
      8.1 Nature of Business.
     No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (whether now owned or acquired or formed subsequent to the Closing Date), materially alter the character of their business on a consolidated basis from the midstream energy business.
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      8.2. Liens.
     No Credit Party will create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it or any of its Subsidiaries, except for the following:
     (a) Liens in favor of the Lenders securing Indebtedness under this Credit Agreement;
     (b) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by this Section 8.2; provided , that the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased (other than to provide for the payment of any underwriting discounts and fees related to any refinancing Indebtedness as well as any premiums owed on and accrued and unpaid interest related to the original Indebtedness) and is not secured by any additional assets;.
     (c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
     (d) Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and interest owners of oil and gas production and other Liens imposed by law, created in the ordinary course of business and for amounts not past due for more than 60 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings which are sufficient to prevent imminent foreclosure of such Liens, are promptly instituted and diligently conducted and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
     (e) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, surety bonds and appeal bonds) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, contracts (other than for the repayment of Indebtedness), statutory obligations and other similar obligations or arising as a result of progress payments under government contracts;
     (f) easements (including, without limitation, reciprocal easement agreements and utility agreements), rights-of-way, covenants, consents, reservations, encroachments, variations and other restrictions, charges or encumbrances (whether or not recorded) affecting the use of real property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary;
     (g) Liens with respect to judgments and attachments which do not result in an Event of Default;
     (h) Liens, deposits or pledges to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases (permitted under the terms of this Agreement), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, appeal, indemnity, performance or other obligations arising in the ordinary course of business;
     (i) rights of first refusal entered into in the ordinary course of business;
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     (j) Liens consisting of any (i) rights reserved to or vested in any municipality or governmental, statutory or public authority to control or regulate any property of a Credit Party or any Subsidiary or to use such property in any manner which does not materially impair the use of such property for the purpose for which it is held by a Credit Party or any such Subsidiary, (ii) obligations or duties to any municipality or public authority with respect to any franchise, grant, license, lease or permit and the rights reserved or vested in any Governmental Authority or public utility to terminate any such franchise, grant, license, lease or permit or to condemn or expropriate any property, or (iii) zoning laws, ordinances or municipal regulations;
     (k) the reservation in any original grants from the sovereign of any land in Canada or interests therein and statutory exceptions to title;
     (l) Liens on deposits required by any Person with whom a Credit Party or any Subsidiary enters into forward contracts, futures contracts, swap agreements or other commodities contracts in the ordinary course of business;
     (m) other Liens, including Liens imposed by Environmental Laws, arising in the ordinary course of its business which (i) do not secure Indebtedness (other than Liens on cash and cash equivalents that secure letters of credit), (ii) do not secure any obligation in an amount exceeding $25,000,000 at any time and (iii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business;
     (n) any letter of credit issued for the account of any Credit Party, Spectra Energy Corp or any of their Affiliates to secure Indebtedness under tax free financings;
     (o) any Lien on any asset of any Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower, the Parent or any Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;
     (p) any Lien existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower, the Parent or any Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such acquisition; and
     (q) other Liens securing Indebtedness or obligations in an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate, at any one time 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Assets; provided , for purposes of this Section 8.2(q), with respect to any such secured Indebtedness of a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent or Borrower with no recourse to any Credit Party or any wholly-owned Subsidiary thereof, only that portion of such Indebtedness reflecting Parent’s pro rata ownership interest therein shall be included in calculating compliance herewith.
      8.3 Consolidation and Merger.
     A Credit Party will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) enter into any transaction of merger or (b) consolidate, liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution); provided , that: (i) a Person (including a Subsidiary of the Borrower) may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or the Parent so long as (A) the Borrower
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or the Parent, as the case may be, shall be the continuing or surviving entity, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or be caused thereby, and (C) the Borrower remains liable for its obligations under this Credit Agreement and all the rights and remedies hereunder remain in full force and effect, (ii) a Subsidiary of the Parent may merge with or into another Subsidiary of the Parent; provided that if one of such Subsidiaries is a Credit Party, the surviving entity must be a Credit Party, and (iii) any such merger, consolidation, liquidation, winding up or dissolution in connection with any Disposition permitted under Section 8.4 hereof shall be permitted hereunder.
      8.4 Dispositions.
     A Credit Party will not make, nor permit its Subsidiaries to make any Disposition except:
     (a) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
     (b) Dispositions of machinery and equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of business of a Credit Party and its Subsidiaries that are Disposed of in the ordinary course of business;
     (c) Dispositions of assets to a Credit Party;
     (d) Dispositions of Investments permitted under Section 8.7 ;
     (e) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;
     (f) Dispositions of licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of a Credit Party and its Subsidiaries;
     (g) Dispositions of Cash Equivalents for fair market value;
     (h) Dispositions in which: (i) the assets being disposed are used simultaneously in exchange for replacement assets or (ii) the net proceeds thereof are either (A) reinvested within 180 days from such Disposition in assets to be used in the ordinary course of the business of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and/or (B) used to permanently reduce the Revolving Committed Amount on a dollar for dollar basis; or
     (i) other Dispositions not exceeding in the aggregate for all Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries (i) 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets in any fiscal year measured as of the date of determination and (ii) 25% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets during the term of this Credit Agreement.
      8.5 Transactions with Affiliates.
     A Credit Party will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay any funds to or for the account of, make any investment in, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets, tangible or intangible, to, or participate in, or effect, any transaction with, any officer, director, employee or
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Affiliate (other than another Credit Party) unless any and all such transactions between a Credit Party and its Subsidiaries on the one hand and any officer, director, employee or Affiliate (other than another Credit Party) on the other hand, shall be on an arms-length basis and on terms no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Subsidiary than could have been obtained from a third party who was not an officer, director, employee or Affiliate (other than another Credit Party) as determined by the Board of Directors of the general partner of the Parent; provided , that the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not (a) prohibit a Credit Party and each Subsidiary from declaring or paying any lawful dividend or distribution otherwise permitted hereunder, (b) prohibit a Credit Party or a Subsidiary from providing credit support for its Subsidiaries as it deems appropriate in the ordinary course of business, (c) prohibit a Credit Party or a Subsidiary from engaging in a transaction or transactions that are not on an arms-length basis or are not on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a third party, provided that such transaction or transactions occurs within a related series of transactions, which, in the aggregate, are on an arms-length basis and are on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a third party as determined by the Board of Directors of the general partner of the Parent, (d) prohibit a Credit Party or a Subsidiary from engaging in non-material transactions with any Credit Party that are not on an arms-length basis or are not on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a third party but are in the ordinary course of such Credit Party’s or such Subsidiary’s business, so long as, in each case, after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (e) prohibit a Credit Party from entering into any of the agreements to be entered into by various Credit Parties in connection with the Initial Asset Acquisition and the transactions related thereto, (f) prohibit a Credit Party from engaging in a transaction with an Affiliate if such transaction has been approved by the Conflicts Committee, (g) prohibit a Credit Party from entering into any of the agreements listed on Schedule 8.5 , or (h) prohibit a Credit Party or a Subsidiary from compensating its employees and officers in the ordinary course of business.
      8.6 Indebtedness .
     Prior to the Investment Grade Rating Date, no Credit Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
     (a) Indebtedness under the Credit Documents;
     (b) Investments permitted under Section 8.7 that would constitute Indebtedness;
     (c) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of a Credit Party or any Subsidiary existing or arising under (i) any Credit Facility Swap Contract or (ii) any other Swap Contract; provided that with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above (A) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view” and (B) such Credit Facility Swap Contract or Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;
     (d) current liabilities of the Credit Parties or their respective Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business but not incurred through (i) the borrowing of money or (ii) the obtaining of credit except for credit on an open account basis
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customarily extended and in fact extended in connection with normal purchases of goods and services;
     (e) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies and claims for labor, materials and supplies to the extent that payment therefor shall not at the time be required to be made in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement;
     (f) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $150,000,000 outstanding under those certain 5.71% Senior Notes of East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (“East Tennessee”) due 2012, issued pursuant to that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2002 between East Tennessee and the note purchasers party thereto and any refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of such Indebtedness; provided , that the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased other than to provide for the payment of any underwriting discounts and fees related to any refinancing Indebtedness as well as any premiums owed on and accrued and unpaid interest related to the original Indebtedness;
     (g) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards only to the extent, for the period and for an amount not resulting in a Default or Event of Default;
     (h) secured Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 8.2(m) or 8.2(n);
     (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that does not permit or provide for recourse against Parent, Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) such Subsidiary has received an Investment Grade Rating for such Subsidiary’s long-term senior unsecured, or (ii) such Indebtedness is for the purpose of financing the construction or expansion of one or more pipelines with respect to which a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of such pipeline capacity is committed under long-term contracts of at least five years duration, or (iii) such Indebtedness is for the purpose of financing the construction or expansion of one or more gas storage facilities with respect to which a minimum of forty percent (40%) of the gas storage capacity is committed under long-term contracts of at least two and one-half years duration; and
     (j) other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the greater of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
     On and after the Investment Grade Rating Date, no Credit Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (other than Loans hereunder) unless at the time of the incurrence thereof, after giving thereto: (x) Parent shall be in pro forma compliance with Section 7.10(a) hereof, determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), as applicable, and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
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      8.7 Investments .
     Prior to the Investment Grade Rating Date, no Credit Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, make any Investments, except:
     (a) Investments held by a Credit Party or a Subsidiary in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
     (b) Investments in any Subsidiary;
     (c) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;
     (d) Investments in Permitted Acquisitions and capital expenditures in the ordinary course;
     (e) Investments in Credit Facility Swap Contracts and other Swap Contracts permitted by Section 8.6;
     (f) Loans and advances to the general partner of the Borrower or the Parent to enable such general partner of the to pay general and administrative costs and expenses pursuant to the partnership agreement of the Borrower or Parent, as applicable;
     (g) additional Investments in any Joint Venture existing as of the Effective Date;
     (h) Investments in any Joint Venture for the purpose of developing capital projects in the midstream energy business; provided, either (i) such Joint Venture is not subject to any contract or other consensual restriction or limitation on the ability of such Joint Venture to make Restricted Payments to the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries (other than as limitations contained in its organizational documents subjecting such Restricted Payments to the discretion of its board and/or permitting Restricted Payments only to the extent of available cash (as defined therein)), or (ii) any Investments in Joint Ventures other than as described in the foregoing clause (i) shall not exceed, at any one time outstanding, $35,000,000; and
     (i) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, $75,000,000.
      8.8 Restricted Payments.
     Prior to the Investment Grade Rating Date, no Credit Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
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     (a) (i) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to the Parent, (ii) any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to any Credit Party or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower, and (iii) any non-wholly-owned Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to its owners on a pro rata basis in accordance with such owners’ pro rata ownership interest therein;
     (b) a Credit Party or Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Capital Stock of such Person;
     (c) cash distributions may be made and redemption of limited partnership units may occur with the proceeds of the Term Loan, the initial draw of Revolving Loans on the Effective Date and the proceeds of the IPO, in each case in connection with the Initial Asset Acquisition as described in the Registration Statement;
     (d) as long as no Default or Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Credit Parties may make quarterly cash distributions in an amount not to exceed Available Cash for such period; and
     (e) the Parent or Borrower may repurchase their respective limited partnership units in an aggregate amount not exceeding $5,000,000 in any fiscal year.
SECTION 9.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
      9.1 Events of Default.
     An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an “ Event of Default ”):
     (a) Payment . A Credit Party shall: (i) default in the payment when due of any principal amount of any of the Loans or of any reimbursement obligation arising from drawings under any Letters of Credit; or (ii) default, and such default shall continue for five or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans or of any fees or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith.
     (b) Representations . Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by a Credit Party herein, in any of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to have been untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been made.
     (c) Covenants . A Credit Party shall:
     (i) default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.1(f), 7.8, 7.10, 7.11, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7 or 8.8;
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     (ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.13 of this Credit Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 5 Business Days after notice of such default is given by the Agent or a Lender to the Borrower; or
     (iii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in subsections (a), (b), (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this Section 9.1) contained in this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the earlier of (A) a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party becoming aware of such default or (B) notice of such default is given by the Agent or a Lender to the Borrower.
     (d) Credit Documents .
     (i) Any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect or a Credit Party shall so assert or any Credit Document shall fail to give the Agent and/or the Lenders the rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby; or
     (ii) The Agent shall cease to have a valid, perfected, first priority Lien on the Cash Collateral in the Cash Collateral Account for any reason.
     (e) Bankruptcy, etc . The occurrence of any of the following with respect to a Credit Party or a Subsidiary (i) a court or governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Credit Party or Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appoint a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of such Credit Party or Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect is commenced against such Credit Party or Subsidiary and such petition remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (iii) such Credit Party or Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of such Person or any substantial part of its property or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such Credit Party or Subsidiary shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or any action shall be taken by such Person in furtherance of any of the aforesaid purposes.
     (f) Defaults under Other Agreements . With respect to any Indebtedness, including any Off Balance Sheet Indebtedness, in excess of the greater of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) the lesser of (x) three percent (3%) of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (y) $100,000,000 (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit Agreement) of a Credit Party or any Subsidiary such Credit Party or such Subsidiary shall (A) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any
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such Indebtedness or fail to timely pay such Indebtedness when due, or (B) default (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) in the observance or performance of any covenant or agreement relating to such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event or condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition in this clause (B) is to cause any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity.
     (g) Judgments . One or more judgments, orders, or decrees shall be entered against a Credit Party or a Subsidiary involving a liability, in the aggregate, in excess of the greater of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) the lesser of (x) three percent (3%) of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (y) $50,000,000 (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has acknowledged coverage) and such judgments, orders or decrees shall continue unsatisfied, undischarged and unstayed for a period ending on the first to occur of (i) the last day on which such judgment, order or decree becomes final and unappealable and, where applicable, with the status of a judicial lien or (ii) 45 days.
     (h) ERISA . The occurrence of:
     (i) any of the following events or conditions which could result in a liability of a Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate, in the aggregate, in excess of the greater of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) the lesser of (x) three percent (3%) of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (y) $25,000,000: (A) any “accumulated funding deficiency,” as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; or (B) any prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which would be reasonably expected to subject the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability; or
     (ii) any of the following events or conditions which could result in a liability of a Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate, in the aggregate, in excess of the greater of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) the lesser of (x) three percent (3%) of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (y) $50,000,000: (A) a Termination Event shall occur with respect to a Single Employer Plan which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; or (B) a Termination Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, likely to result in (x) the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (y) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) of such Plan.
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     (i) Change of Control . The occurrence of any Change of Control.
      9.2 Acceleration; Remedies.
     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the Required Lenders (or the Lenders as may be required hereunder), the Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the following actions without prejudice to the rights of the Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against the Borrower, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein:
     (i) Termination of Commitments . Declare the Commitments and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit to be terminated whereupon the Commitments and such obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit shall be immediately terminated.
     (ii) Acceleration of Loans and Letters of Credit . Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans, any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit and any and all other indebtedness or obligations of any and every kind owing by the Credit Parties to any of the Lenders hereunder to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
     (iii) Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit . Direct the Borrower to pay (and the Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 9.1(e), it will immediately pay) to the Issuing Lender additional cash, to be held by the Issuing Lender, for the benefit of the Lenders, in a cash collateral account as security for the LOC Obligations in respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount which may be drawn under all Letters of Credits then outstanding.
     (iv) Enforcement of Rights . Enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the Credit Documents, including, without limitation, all rights of set-off.
     (v) Cash Collateral . Liquidate the Cash Collateral and apply the proceeds thereof to repay the Term Loans then outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(e) shall occur, then the Commitments and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit shall automatically terminate and all Loans, all reimbursement obligations under Letters of Credit, all accrued interest in respect thereof, all accrued and unpaid fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the Lenders and the Agent hereunder shall immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or other action by the Agent or the Lenders.
Notwithstanding the fact that enforcement powers reside primarily with the Agent, each Lender has, to the extent permitted by law, a separate right of payment and shall be considered a separate
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“creditor” holding a separate “claim” within the meaning of Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other insolvency statute.
      9.3 Allocation of Payments After Event of Default.
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Credit Agreement, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Agent or any Lender on account of amounts outstanding under any of the Credit Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:
     FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Agent and the Lenders in connection with enforcing the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Documents, pro rata as set forth below;
     SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Agent, or any Lender, pro rata as set forth below;
     THIRD, to the payment of all accrued interest payable to the Lenders hereunder, pro rata as set forth below;
     FOURTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and to the payment or cash collateralization of the outstanding LOC Obligations, pro rata, as set forth below;
     FIFTH, to all other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents and not repaid pursuant to clauses “FIRST” through “FOURTH” above; and
     SIXTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus;
      provided , that all amounts collected from the proceeds of Cash Collateral shall be used to repay the Term Loans.
In carrying out the foregoing, (a) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category; (b) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Loans and LOC Obligations held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Loans and LOC Obligations), of amounts available to be applied; and (c) to the extent that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause “FOURTH” above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be held by the Agent in a cash collateral account and applied (i) first, to reimburse the Issuing Lender from time to time for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (ii) then, following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in clauses “FOURTH”, “FIFTH” and “SIXTH” above in the manner provided in this Section 9.3.
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SECTION 10.
AGENCY PROVISIONS
      10.1 Appointment.
     Each Lender hereby designates and appoints Wachovia Bank, National Association, as agent of such Lender to act as specified herein and the other Credit Documents, and each such Lender hereby authorizes the Agent, as the agent for such Lender, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated by the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere herein and in the other Credit Documents, the Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, or shall otherwise exist against the Agent. The provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders and no Credit Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of the provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the Agent shall act solely as agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with or for any Credit Party. All institutions acting as a Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agent hereunder shall have no obligations in such capacity under the Credit Documents.
      10.2 Delegation of Duties.
     The Agent may execute any of its duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible to the Lenders for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.
      10.3 Exculpatory Provisions.
     Neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection herewith or in connection with any of the other Credit Documents (except for its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Credit Party contained herein or in any of the other Credit Documents or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in connection herewith or in connection with the other Credit Documents, or enforceability or sufficiency therefor of any of the other Credit Documents, or for any failure of any Credit Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for the effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Credit Agreement, or any of the other Credit Documents or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made by any Credit Party in any written or oral statement or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports, certificates or any other documents in
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connection herewith or therewith furnished or made by the Agent to the Lenders or by or on behalf of any Credit Party to the Agent or any Lender or be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or of the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party. The Agent is not a trustee for the Lenders and owes no fiduciary duty to the Lenders.
      10.4 Reliance on Communications.
     The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Credit Parties, independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent with reasonable care). The Agent may deem and treat the Lenders as the owner of its interests hereunder for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Agent in accordance with Section 11.3(b). The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Credit Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or to the extent specifically provided in Section 11.6, all the Lenders) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders (including their successors and assigns).
      10.5 Notice of Default.
     The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(a)) unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to the Credit Document, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” In the event that the Agent receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders.
      10.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders.
     Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Agent or any Affiliate thereof hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Credit Parties, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, assets,
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operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and made its own decision to make its Extensions of Credit hereunder and enter into this Credit Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Credit Agreement, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, assets, property, financial or other conditions, prospects or creditworthiness of the Credit Parties which may come into the possession of the Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.
      10.7 Indemnification.
     Each Lender agrees to indemnify the Agent (including for purposes of this Section 10.7 the Agent in its capacity as Issuing Lender) in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Credit Parties and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), ratably according to its Commitment Percentage, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including without limitation at any time following the payment in full of the Credit Parties Obligations) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in its capacity as such in any way relating to or arising out of this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided , that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent. If any indemnity furnished to the Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of the Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, the Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished. The agreements in this Section 10.7 shall survive the payment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments.
      10.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity.
     The Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with a Credit Party as though the Agent were not Agent hereunder. With respect to the Loans made, Letters of Credit issued and all Obligations owing to it, the Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Credit Agreement as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include the Agent in its individual capacity.
      10.9 Successor Agent.
     The Agent may, at any time, resign upon 30 days written notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Borrower with the consent of the Required Lenders
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(such consent of the Required Lenders not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent; provided, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent without the consent of the Borrower. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent shall in consultation with the Borrower, select a successor Agent provided such successor is a Lender hereunder or qualifies as an Eligible Assignee (or if no Eligible Assignee shall have been so appointed by the retiring Agent and shall have accepted such appointment, then the Lenders shall perform all obligations of the retiring Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as a successor Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment as provided for above). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations as Agent, as appropriate, under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the provisions of this Section 10.9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Credit Agreement; provided, if such successor Agent shall have been appointed without the consent of the Borrower, such successor Agent may be replaced by the Borrower with the consent of the Required Lenders so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
      11.1 Notices.
     (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (i) when delivered, (ii) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device), (iii) the Business Day following the day on which the same has been delivered prepaid (or pursuant to an invoice arrangement) to a reputable national overnight air courier service, or (iv) the third Business Day following the day on which the same is sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at the address or telecopy numbers set forth on Schedule 11.1 , or at such other address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto.
     (b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, notices and other communications to the Agent, the Lenders and the Credit Parties, may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including email, Internet or intranet website) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent.
      11.2 Right of Set-Off.
     In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law or otherwise, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and the commencement of remedies described in Section 9.2, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind (all of which rights being hereby expressly waived), to set-off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits
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(general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender (including, without limitation branches, agencies or Affiliates of such Lender wherever located) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Lenders hereunder, under the Notes, the other Credit Documents or otherwise, irrespective of whether the Agent or the Lenders shall have made any demand hereunder and although such obligations, liabilities or claims, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured, and any such set-off shall be deemed to have been made immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default even though such charge is made or entered on the books of such Lender subsequent thereto.
      11.3 Benefit of Agreement.
     (a) Generally . This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided , that the Borrower may not assign and transfer any of its interests without the prior written consent of the Lenders; and provided , further , that the rights of each Lender to transfer, assign or grant participations in its rights and/or obligations hereunder shall be limited as set forth below in this Section 11.3.
     (b) Assignments . Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Loans, its Notes, its LOC Obligations and its Commitment); provided , however , that:
     (i) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible Assignee;
     (ii) all assignments of the Term Loans or the Original Revolving Committed Amount must be pro rata among such Lender’s Commitment with respect to the Term Loans and Original Revolving Committed Amount.
     (iii) except in the case of an assignment to another Lender or an assignment of all of a Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, any such partial assignment shall be in an amount at least equal to $10,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and LOC Obligations) being assigned by such Lender) and an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and
     (iv) the parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent for its acceptance an Assignment Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.3(b) , together with a processing fee from the assignor of $3,500.
     Upon execution, delivery, and acceptance of such Assignment Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of such assignment, have the obligations, rights, and benefits of a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent of such assignment, relinquish its rights (except those rights hereunder which by their terms expressly survive) and be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this Section 11.3(b), the assignor, the Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, new Notes are issued to the assignor and the assignee. If the assignee is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof,
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it shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of taxes in accordance with Section 4.4.
     By executing and delivering an assignment agreement in accordance with this Section 11.3(b), the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (A) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim created by such assigning Lender and the assignee warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee; (B) except as set forth in clause (A) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto or the financial condition of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its obligations under this Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (C) such assigning Lender and such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into such assignment agreement; (D) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such assignment agreement; (E) such assignee will independently and without reliance upon the Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; (F) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (G) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
     (c) Register . The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
     (d) Acceptance . Upon its receipt of an Assignment Agreement executed by the parties thereto, together with any Note subject to such assignment and payment of the processing fee, the Agent shall, if such Assignment Agreement has been completed and is in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.3(b ) hereto, (i) accept such Assignment Agreement, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the parties thereto.
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     (e) Participations . Each Lender may sell participations to one or more Persons in all or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, its Notes, its LOC Obligations and its Loans); provided , however , that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the yield protection provisions contained in Sections 4.1 through 4.4, inclusive, but shall not be entitled to receive any amount greater than such Lender would have been able to receive, and (iv) the Borrower shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to its Loans, its Notes and its LOC Obligations and to approve any amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement (other than amendments, modifications, or waivers decreasing the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on such Loans or Notes, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest on such Loans or Notes, or extending its Commitment).
     (f) Nonrestricted Assignments . Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Credit Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign and pledge all or any portion of its Loans and its Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.
     (g) Information . Subject to Section 11.17, any Lender may furnish any information concerning the Borrower in the possession of such Lender from time to time to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and participants).
      11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
     No failure or delay on the part of the Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Borrower and the Agent or any Lender shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Agent or any Lender would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
      11.5 Payment of Expenses, etc.
     The Borrower agrees to: (i) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agent in connection with (A) the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery, syndication and administration of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent) and (B) any amendment, waiver or consent relating hereto and thereto
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including, but not limited to, any such amendments, waivers or consents resulting from or related to any work-out, renegotiation or restructure relating to the performance by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement, (ii) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agent and each Lender in connection with (A) enforcement of the Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including, without limitation, in connection with any such enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agent and each of the Lenders (including the allocated cost of internal counsel)) and (B) any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding of any Credit Party and (iii) indemnify the Agent and each Lender, their respective Affiliates and the respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents of the foregoing from and hold each of them harmless against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of, any investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) related to the entering into and/or performance of any Credit Document or the use of proceeds of any Loans (including other extensions of credit) hereunder or the consummation of any other transactions contemplated in any Credit Document, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and settlement costs incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other proceeding (but excluding any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses to the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Person to be indemnified).
      11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
     Neither this Credit Agreement, nor any other Credit Document nor any of the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing and signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower (and if the rights or duties of the Issuing Bank are affected thereby, by it); provided , that no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination shall without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby:
     (a) extend the Maturity Date, or postpone or extend the time for any payment or prepayment of principal (except pursuant to Section 3.2(b)) or the time of payment of any reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from drawings under Letters of Credit;
     (b) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon or fees or other amounts payable hereunder to such Lender;
     (c) reduce or waive the principal amount of any Loan or of any reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from drawings under Letters of Credit owing to such Lender;
     (d) increase (other than an increase to its Revolving Commitment resulting from an increase in the Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to the sale of Term Loan Cash Collateral as set forth in Section 3.2(a)(ii)) or extend the Commitment of a Lender (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or a waiver of any mandatory reduction in the Commitments shall not constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any Lender);
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     (e) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under (or in respect of) the Credit Documents or release the Borrower from its obligations under the Credit Documents, which shall require the consent of all Lenders;
     (f) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 11.6 or Section 2.10, 3.6, 3.8, 5.2, 9.1(a), 11.2, 11.3 or 11.5;
     (g) reduce any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify, the definition of Required Lenders;
     (h) release the Cash Collateral, which shall require the consent of all Lenders, except as specifically permitted hereunder and by the Collateral Documents; or
     (i) release the Parent from its obligations under the Credit Documents, which shall require the consent of all Lenders.
No provision of Section 10 may be amended or modified without the consent of the Agent.
No provision of Section 2.2 may be amended or modified without the consent of each Issuing Lender affected thereby.
No provision of Section 2.8 may be amended or modified without the consent of the Swingline Lender.
Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Lenders is required in certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any reorganization plan that affects the Loans or the Letters of Credit, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code supersede the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein and (y) the Required Lenders may consent to allow the Borrower to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
      11.7 Counterparts/Telecopy.
     This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which where so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of executed counterparts by telecopy or other electronic means shall be as effective as an original and shall constitute a representation that an original will be delivered.
      11.8 Headings.
     The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Credit Agreement.
      11.9 Defaulting Lender.
     Each Lender understands and agrees that if such Lender is a Defaulting Lender then it shall not be entitled to vote on any matter requiring the consent of the Required Lenders or to object to any matter requiring the consent of all the Lenders; provided , however , that (a) a Lender’s Commitment may not be increased without its consent whether or not it is a Defaulting Lender and
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(b) all other benefits and obligations under the Credit Documents shall apply to such Defaulting Lender.
      11.10 Survival of Indemnification and Representations and Warranties.
     All indemnities set forth herein and all representations and warranties made herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the issuance of the Letters of Credit and the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.
      11.11 Governing Law; Venue.
     (a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document may be brought in the courts of the State of New York, or of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of such courts. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at the address for notices pursuant to Section 11.1, such service to become effective 30 days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of a Lender to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against the Borrower in any other jurisdiction.
     (b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the courts referred to in subsection (a) hereof and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
      11.12 Waiver of Jury Trial; Waiver of Consequential Damages.
     EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. The Borrower agrees not to assert any claim against the Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys or agents, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Credit Documents.
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      11.13 Severability.
     If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.
      11.14 Further Assurances.
     The Borrower agrees, upon the request of the Agent, to promptly take such actions, as reasonably requested, as are necessary to carry out the intent of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
      11.15 Entirety.
     This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.
      11.16 Binding Effect; Continuing Agreement.
     (a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time when all of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 have been satisfied or waived by the Lenders and it shall have been executed by the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
     (b) This Credit Agreement shall be a continuing agreement and shall remain in full force and effect until all Loans, LOC Obligations, interest, fees and other Obligations have been paid in full and all Commitments and Letters of Credit have been terminated. Upon such termination, the Borrower shall have no further obligations (other than those provisions that expressly survive the termination thereof) under the Credit Documents; provided , that should any payment, in whole or in part, of the Obligations be rescinded or otherwise required to be restored or returned by the Agent or any Lender, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, then the Credit Documents shall automatically be reinstated and all amounts required to be restored or returned and all costs and expenses incurred by the Agent or any Lender in connection therewith shall be deemed included as part of the Obligations.
      11.17 Confidentiality; USA PATRIOT Act.
     (a) The Agent and each Lender will keep any information delivered or made available by the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement confidential from anyone other than persons employed or retained by the Agent or such Lender and its Affiliates who are engaged in evaluating, approving, structuring or administering this Credit Agreement; provided , that the Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to disclose such information (a) to any other Lender or to the Agent, (b) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (c) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority, (d) which had been
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publicly disclosed other than as a result of a disclosure by the Agent or any Lender prohibited by this Agreement, (e) in connection with any litigation to which the Agent, any Lender or its subsidiaries or parent may be a party, (f) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy under this Agreement, (g) to such Lender’s or Agent’s legal counsel and independent auditors and (h) to any actual or proposed participant or assignee; provided such participant or assignee agrees in writing to keep all such information confidential on terms substantially similar to this Section 11.17.
     (b) Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Patriot Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.
SECTION 12.
GUARANTY
      12.1 The Guaranty.
     Parent hereby guarantees to each Lender, each Affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Credit Facility Swap Contract or a Treasury Management Agreement with a Credit Party, and the Agent as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. Parent hereby further agrees that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), Parent will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.
      12.2 Obligations Unconditional.
     The obligations of the Parent under this Section 12.1 are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents, Credit Facility Swap Contracts or Treasury Management Agreements, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 12.2 that the obligations of the Parent hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. The Parent agrees that it shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower for amounts paid under this Section 12 until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments have expired or terminated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent
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permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Parent hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:
     (a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Parent, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;
     (b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the Credit Documents, any Credit Facility Swap Contract or Treasury Management Agreement between Credit Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents, such Credit Facility Swap Contracts or such Treasury Management Agreements shall be done or omitted;
     (c) the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Credit Documents, any Credit Facility Swap Contract or Treasury Management Agreement between any Credit Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents, such Credit Facility Swap Contracts or such Treasury Management Agreements shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;
     (d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or
     (e) any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any creditor of the Parent) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of the Parent).
     With respect to its obligations hereunder, the Parent hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Credit Documents, any Credit Facility Swap Contract or any Treasury Management Agreement between any Credit Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents, such Credit Facility Swap Contracts or such Treasury Management Agreements, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.
      12.3 Reinstatement.
     The obligations of the Parent under this Section 12 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and Parent agrees that it will indemnify the Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such
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payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
      12.4 Certain Additional Waivers.
     The Parent further agrees that it shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 12.2 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 12.6.
      12.5 Remedies .
     The Parent agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as between the Parent, on the one hand, and the Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 9.2 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Section 9.2) for purposes of Section 12.1 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Parent for purposes of Section 12.1. The Parent acknowledges and agrees that their obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Collateral Documents and that the Lenders may exercise their remedies thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.
      12.6 Reserved.
      12.7 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.
     The guarantee in this Section 12 is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations whenever arising. All Obligations which are incurred by two or more Credit Parties shall be their joint and several obligations and liabilities.
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     Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
             
BORROWER :   SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS OLP, LP    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Lon C. Mitchell    
 
           
 
      Name: Lon C. Mitchell    
 
      Title: Chief Financial Officer    
 
           
PARENT GUARANTOR :   SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP    
 
           
    By: Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP    
 
           
 
  By:   Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Lon C. Mitchell    
 
           
 
      Name: Lon C. Mitchell    
 
      Title: Chief Financial Officer    
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LENDERS :
           
    WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent and as a Lender    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Lawrence P. Sullivan    
 
           
 
      Name: Lawrence P. Sullivan    
 
      Title: Managing Director    
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
Credit Agreement

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  CITIBANK, N.A., as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ David Lawrence  
    Name: David Lawrence  
    Title: Attorney-in-Fact  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Rob Traband  
    Name: Rob Traband  
    Title: Executive Director  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Matthew Main  
    Name: Matthew Main  
    Title: Managing Director    
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  SUNTRUST BANK, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Yann Pirio  
    Name: Yann Pirio  
    Title: Vice President  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
Credit Agreement

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  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Gabe Gomez  
    Name: Gabe Gomez  
    Title: Vice President  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
Credit Agreement

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  BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Sydney Dennis  
    Name: Sydney Dennis  
    Title: Director  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Chi-Cheng Chen  
    Name: Chi-Cheng Chen  
    Title: Authorized Signatory  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  CREDIT SUISSE, Cayman Islands
Branch, as a Lender  
 
 
  By:   /s/ Thomas Cantello  
    Name: Thomas Cantello  
    Title: Director  
 
  By:   /s/ Shaheen Malik  
    Name: Shaheen Malik  
    Title: Associate  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  DEUTSCHE BANK AG, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Rainer Meier  
    Name: Rainer Meier  
    Title: Vice President  
 
  By:   /s/ Heidi Sandquist  
    Name: Heidi Sandquist  
    Title: Vice President  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  LEHMAN BROTHERS COMMERCIAL BANK, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Brian McNany  
    Name: Brian McNany  
    Title: Authorized Signatory  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Louis Alder  
    Name: Louis Alder  
    Title: Director  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  MORGAN STANLEY BANK, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Daniel Twenge  
    Name: Daniel Twenge  
    Title: Authorized Signatory  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mary E. Evans  
    Name:   Mary E. Evans  
    Title:   Associate Director  
 
 
  By:   /s/ Irja R. Otsa  
    Name:   Irja R. Otsa  
    Title:   Associate Director  
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  ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ John D. Reed  
    Name:   John D. Reed  
    Title:   Assistant Vice President  
 
 
  By:   /s/ Todd D. Vaubel  
    Name:   Todd D. Vaubel  
    Title:   Assistant Vice President  
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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  KEYBANK NATIONAL
   ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Keven D. Smith  
    Name:   Keven D. Smith  
    Title:   Senior Vice President  
 
Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP
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Exhibit 10.6
 
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
February 28, 2007
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
 
       
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS
    1  
1.01 Definitions
    1  
1.02 Interpretation
    14  
ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATION
    14  
2.01 Formation
    14  
2.02 Name
    14  
2.03 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices
    14  
2.04 Purposes
    15  
2.05 Foreign Qualification
    15  
2.06 Term
    15  
ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP; DISPOSITIONS OF INTERESTS
    15  
3.01 Current Members
    15  
3.02 Representations, Warranties and Covenants
    15  
3.03 Dispositions and Encumbrances of Membership Interests
    16  
3.04 Creation of Additional Membership Interest
    23  
3.05 Access to Information
    23  
3.06 Confidential Information
    23  
3.07 Liability to Third Parties
    25  
3.08 Use of Members’ Names and Trademarks
    25  
ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
    25  
4.01 Capital Contributions
    25  
4.02 Loans
    26  
4.03 No Other Contribution Obligations
    27  
4.04 Return of Contributions
    27  
4.05 Capital Accounts
    27  
4.06 Failure to Make a Capital Contribution
    29  
ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
    31  
5.01 Distributions
    31  
5.02 Distributions on Dissolution and Winding-Up
    31  
5.03 Allocations
    31  
5.04 Varying Interests
    32  
ARTICLE 6 MANAGEMENT
    32  
6.01 Generally
    32  
6.02 Management Committee
    32  
6.03 Construction, Operation and Management Agreement
    38  
6.04 Conflicts of Interest
    38  
6.05 Indemnification for Breach of Agreement
    39  
ARTICLE 7 DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES
    40  
7.01 Development of Initial Facilities
    40  
7.02 Construction Capital Opportunities
    41  
7.03 Acquisition Capital Opportunities
    43  
7.04 General Regulatory Matters
    44  
ARTICLE 8 TAXES
    44  
8.01 Tax Returns
    44  

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    Page  
8.02 Tax Elections
    45  
8.03 Tax Matters Member
    45  
ARTICLE 9 BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
    46  
9.01 Maintenance of Books
    46  
9.02 Reports
    46  
9.03 Bank Accounts
    49  
ARTICLE 10 WITHDRAWAL
    49  
10.01 No Right of Withdrawal
    49  
10.02 Deemed Withdrawal
    49  
10.03 Effect of Withdrawal
    49  
ARTICLE 11 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
    51  
11.01 Disputes
    51  
11.02 Negotiation to Resolve Disputes
    51  
11.03 Selection of Arbitrator
    52  
11.04 Conduct of Arbitration
    52  
ARTICLE 12 DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION
    53  
12.01 Dissolution
    53  
12.02 Winding-Up and Termination
    53  
12.03 Deficit Capital Accounts
    54  
12.04 Certificate of Cancellation
    54  
ARTICLE 13 GENERAL PROVISIONS
    55  
13.01 Offset
    55  
13.02 Notices
    55  
13.03 Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect
    55  
13.04 Effect of Waiver or Consent
    55  
13.05 Amendment or Restatement
    55  
13.06 Binding Effect
    55  
13.07 Governing Law; Severability
    55  
13.08 Further Assurances
    56  
13.09 Waiver of Certain Rights
    56  
13.10 Counterparts
    56  
13.11 Fair Market Value Determination
    56  
EXHIBIT :
          A — Members

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C.

A Delaware Limited Liability Company
     This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, L.L.C., (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of February 28, 2007 (the “ Effective Date ”), is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by SPECTRA ENERGY SOUTHEAST PIPELINE CORPORATION (f/k/a Duke Energy Southeast Pipeline Corporation), a Delaware corporation (“ SESP ”), and WGP GULFSTREAM PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ WGPG ”).
RECITALS
     1. ANR Gulfstream, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ ANRG ”), and Coastal Southern Pipeline Company, a Delaware corporation (“ Coastal Southern ”), formed Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “ Delaware Certificate ”) as initial members of the Company.
     2. On February 1, 2001, SESP and WGPG acquired the entire Membership Interest (as hereinafter defined) of ANRG and Coastal Southern, comprising all of the Membership Interests in the Company, and SESP and WGPG entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated February 1, 2001, as amended October 28, 2003 (the “ LLC Agreement ”).
     3. SESP holds a Membership Interest in the Company having a Sharing Ratio (as hereinafter defined) of 50% and WGPG holds a Membership Interest in the Company having a Sharing Ratio of 50%.
     4. SESP and WGPG desire to amend and restate the LLC Agreement as provided herein and the terms of this Agreement shall hereafter govern the business and management of the Company.
     NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, SESP and WGPG hereby agree that the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, as follows:
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS
     1.01 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Sections referred to below:
      AAA - Section 11.03(b).
      Acquisition Capital Opportunity - a Capital Opportunity to acquire facilities from another Person, rather than to construct such facilities.

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      Act - the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
      Additional Contribution - Section 4.06(a).
      Additional Contribution Member - Section 4.06(a).
      Affiliate - with respect to any Person, (a) each entity that such Person Controls; (b) each Person that Controls such Person, including, in the case of a Member, such Member’s Parent; and (c) each entity that is under common Control with such Person, including, in the case of a Member, each entity that is Controlled by such Member’s Parent; provided, with respect to any Member, an Affiliate shall include (y) a limited partnership or a Person Controlled by a limited partnership if a general partner of such limited partnership is Controlled by such Member’s Parent, or (z) a limited liability company or a Person controlled by a limited liability company if the managing member of the limited liability company is Controlled by such Member’s Parent; provided further, for purposes of this Agreement the Company shall not be an Affiliate of any Member.
      Affiliate’s Outside Activities - Section 6.04(b).
      Affirmative Acquisition Vote - Section 7.03(c).
      Affirmative Construction Vote - an affirmative vote of the Management Committee to commit the Company to construct any Construction Capital Opportunity.
      AFUDC - allowance for funds used during construction.
      Agreement - introductory paragraph.
      Alternate Representative - Section 6.02(a)(i).
      ANRG - Recital 1.
      Appraisal Committee - Section 13.11(c).
      Approved Precedent Agreement - an agreement between the Company and a prospective shipper of natural gas through the Facilities that involves the commitment by such shipper to pay demand charges in return for a firm transportation obligation on the part of the Company, in each case subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, and that has been approved by an affirmative vote of the Management Committee.
      Arbitration Notice - Section 11.02(c).
      Arbitrator - Section 11.03(a).
      Assignee - any Person that acquires a Membership Interest or any portion thereof through a Disposition; provided, however, that, an Assignee shall have no right to be admitted to the Company as a Member except in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(iii).

2


 

Subject to the Preferential Right set forth in Section 3.03(b), the Assignee of a dissolved Member is the shareholder, partner, member or other equity owner or owners of the dissolved Member to whom such Member’s Membership Interest is assigned by the Person conducting the liquidation or winding-up of such Member. The Assignee of a Bankrupt Member is (a) the Person or Persons (if any) to whom such Bankrupt Member’s Membership Interest is assigned by order of the bankruptcy court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Bankruptcy, or (b) in the event of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, the creditor to which such Membership Interest is assigned.
      Authorizations - licenses, certificates, permits, orders, approvals, determinations and authorizations from Governmental Authorities having valid jurisdiction.
      Available Cash - with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, and without duplication:
     (a) the sum of all cash and cash equivalents of the Company on hand at the end of such Quarter, less
     (b) the amount of any cash reserves that is necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the Management Committee to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Company (including reserves for future maintenance capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Company) subsequent to such Quarter or (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; provided , however , that distributions made by the Company or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the Management Committee so determines.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which a liquidation or dissolution of the Company occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall be deemed to equal zero.
      Bankruptcy or Bankrupt - with respect to any Person, that (a) such Person (i) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii) becomes the subject of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for such Person a reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any Law; (v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against such Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (a); or (vi) seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s properties; or (b) against such Person, a proceeding seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any Law has been commenced and 120 Days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which, without such Person’s consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s

3


 

properties has been appointed and 90 Days have expired without the appointment’s having been vacated or stayed, or 90 Days have expired after the date of expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been vacated.
      Bartow Project - the expansion from an interconnection with the Company’s existing Line No. 200 in Tampa Bay, Florida to an interconnection with Florida Power Corporation d/b/a Progress Energy Florida, Inc.’s Bartow Plant, consisting of approximately 20 miles of 30-inch pipeline, approximately 45,000 horsepower of compression at two locations at the Company’s Stations 100 and 200, and associated metering and regulation facilities.
      Breaching Member - a Member that (a) has committed a failure or breach of the type described in the definition of “Default,” (b) has received a notice of the type described in such definition of “Default,” and (c) has not cured such failure or breach, but as to which the applicable cure period set forth in such definition of “Default” has not yet expired.
      Business Day - any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a holiday on which national banking associations in the State of Texas are closed.
      Buy-out Right - Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A).
      Capital Account - the account maintained by the Company for each Member in accordance with the LLC Agreement and to be maintained by the Company for each Member from and after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 4.05.
      Capital Budget - the annual capital budget for the Company that is approved (or deemed approved) pursuant to Section 6.02(i)(iii)(B). The Capital Budget shall cover all items that are classified as capital items under Required Accounting Practices, but it shall not include Capital Opportunities.
      Capital Call - Section 4.01(a).
      Capital Contribution - with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the net agreed value of any property (other than money) contributed to the Company by the Member. Any reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include a Capital Contribution of its predecessors in interest.
      Capital Opportunity - a business opportunity to construct or acquire facilities in order (a) to modify, improve, expand or increase the capacity of the Facilities, or any portion thereof, after the applicable Affirmative Construction Vote for any Construction Capital Opportunity or after the applicable Affirmative Acquisition Vote (except in connection with customary or emergency repairs, replacements or maintenance), including looping or adding compression, or (b) to provide a new point of delivery or receipt of natural gas for the Facilities, including lateral pipelines or extensions except for minor taps that are fully reimbursable by a third party.
      Certified Public Accountants - a firm of independent public accountants selected from time to time by the Management Committee.

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      Change Exercise Notice - Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A).
           Change of Member Control - with respect to any Member, an event (such as a Disposition of voting securities or other equity interests) that causes such Member to cease to be Controlled by such Member’s then Parent; provided, however, that the term “Change of Member Control” shall not include any of the following events:
     (a) an event that causes such Member’s then Parent to be Controlled by another Person;
     (b) an event that involves the Disposition of voting securities or other equity interests of such Member but also involves the Disposition of other assets having a greater value than the larger of (i) the fair market value of such Member’s Membership Interest or (ii) the Sharing Ratio of such Member times $400 million;
     (c) an event that involves the Disposition of voting securities or other equity interests of a Person that Controls such Member if such Person also owns assets (other than the voting securities or other equity interests of such Member) that have a greater value than the larger of (i) the fair market value of such Member’s Membership Interest or (ii) the Sharing Ratio of such Member times $400 million;
     (d) a Deemed Membership Disposition or a Disposition that is covered by the terms of Section 3.03(b)(ii);
     (e) in the case of a Member that is a publicly traded partnership or is Controlled by a publicly traded partnership, any Disposition of or issuance of new units representing limited partner interests by such publicly traded partnership, whether to an Affiliate or an unrelated party and whether or not such units or interests are listed on a national securities exchange or quotation service; and
     (f) the spin-off transaction that was concluded on or about January 1, 2007, by Duke Energy Corporation that resulted in Spectra Energy Corp being the Parent of SESP.
      Change Purchasing Member - Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A).
      Change Unexercised Portion - Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A).
      Changing Member - Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A).
      Claim - any and all judgments, claims, causes of action, demands, lawsuits, suits, proceedings, Governmental investigations or audits, losses, assessments, fines, penalties, administrative orders, obligations, costs, expenses, liabilities and damages (whether actual, consequential or punitive), including interest, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, disbursements and costs of investigations, deficiencies, levies, duties, imposts, remediation and cleanup costs, and natural resources damages.
      Coastal Southern – Recital 1.

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      Code - the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
      COM Agreement – Section 6.03(a).
      Company – Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
      Confidential Information - information and data (including all copies thereof) that is furnished or submitted by any of the Members, their Affiliates, or GMOS, whether oral, written, or electronic, to the other Members, their Affiliates, or GMOS in connection with the Facilities and the resulting information and data obtained from those studies, including market evaluations, market proposals, service designs and pricing, pipeline system design and routing, cost estimating, rate studies, identification of permits, strategic plans, legal documents, environmental studies and requirements, public and governmental relations planning, identification of regulatory issues and development of related strategies, legal analysis and documentation, financial planning, gas reserves and deliverability data, studies of the natural gas supplies for the Facilities, and other studies and activities to determine the potential viability of the Facilities and their design characteristics, and identification of key issues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Confidential Information” shall not include any information that:
     (a) is in the public domain at the time of its disclosure or thereafter, other than as a result of a disclosure directly or indirectly by a Member or its Affiliates or GMOS in contravention of this Agreement;
     (b) as to any Member or its Affiliates or GMOS, was in the possession of such Member or its Affiliates or GMOS prior to the execution of the Confidentiality Agreements or any other Prior Agreement; or
     (c) has been independently acquired or developed by a Member or its Affiliates or GMOS without violating any of the obligations of such Member or its Affiliates or GMOS under the Confidentiality Agreements, any other Prior Agreement, the COM Agreement or this Agreement.
      Construction Capital Opportunity - a Capital Opportunity to construct facilities, rather than to acquire such facilities from another Person.
      Contract Decision - Section 6.04(c).
      Contributing Member - Section 4.06(a).
      Control - the possession, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, of the following:
     (a) (i) in the case of a corporation, 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities thereof; (ii) in the case of a limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership or venture, the right to 25% or more of the distributions therefrom (including liquidating distributions); (iii) in the case of a trust or estate, including a

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business trust, 50% or more of the beneficial interest therein; and (iv) in the case of any other entity, 50% or more of the economic or beneficial interest therein; provided, however, in the case of a limited partnership, “Control” shall mean possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of, (A) in the case where the general partner of such limited partnership is a corporation, ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such corporate general partner, (B) in the case where the general partner of such limited partnership is a partnership, limited liability company or other entity (other than a corporation or limited partnership), the right to 25% or more of the distributions from such general partner entity, and (C) in the case where the general partner of such limited partnership is a limited partnership, Control of the general partner of such general partner in the manner described under clause (A) or (B), in each case, notwithstanding that the Person with respect to which Control is being determined does not possess, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, the right to receive at least 25% of the distributions from such limited partnership; and
     (b) in the case of any entity, the power or authority, through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, to exercise predominant control over the management of the entity.
      Control Notice - Section 3.03(b)(vi).
      Cost -with respect to the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity, the sum of all costs and expenses, including AFUDC, and borne by the Company for the acquisition, business development, planning, design, engineering, financing, marketing, permitting, construction and other activities required for start-up of the Initial Facilities or Capital Opportunity (as applicable), and securing all Authorizations required therefor.
      Day - a calendar day; provided, however, that, if any period of Days referred to in this Agreement shall end on a Day that is not a Business Day, then the expiration of such period shall be automatically extended until the end of the first succeeding Business Day.
      Deemed Membership Disposition - with respect to any Membership Interest that is owned by a Person that owns no assets other than such Membership Interest and assets that are directly related thereto, a Disposition of all of the voting securities or other equity interests of such Person.
      Deemed Tax Disposition - Section 3.03(b)(iv)(E)(III).
      Default - with respect to any Member,
     (a) the failure of such Member to contribute, within 10 Days of the date required, all or any portion of a Capital Contribution that such Member is required to make as provided in this Agreement or
     (b) the failure of a Member to comply in any material respect with any of its other agreements, covenants or obligations under this Agreement, or the failure of

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any representation or warranty made by a Member in this Agreement to have been true and correct in all material respects at the time it was made,
in each case if such breach is not cured by the applicable Member within 30 Days of its receiving notice of such breach from any other Member (or, if such breach is not capable of being cured within such 30-Day period, if such Member fails to promptly commence substantial efforts to cure such breach or to prosecute such curative efforts to completion with continuity and diligence). The Management Committee may, but shall have no obligation to, extend the foregoing 10-Day and 30-Day periods.
      Default Rate - a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (a) a varying rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal , with adjustments in that varying rate to be made on the same date as any change in that rate is so published, plus (ii) 2% per annum, and (b) the maximum rate permitted by Law.
      Delaware Certificate – Recital 1.
      Dispose , Disposing or Disposition - with respect to any asset (including a Membership Interest or any portion thereof), a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift, exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Law, including the following: (a) in the case of an asset owned by a natural person, a transfer of such asset upon the death of its owner, whether by will, intestate succession or otherwise; (b) in the case of an asset owned by an entity, (i) a merger or consolidation of such entity (other than where such entity is the survivor thereof), (ii) a conversion of such entity into another type of entity, or (iii) a distribution of such asset, including in connection with the dissolution, liquidation, winding-up or termination of such entity (unless, in the case of dissolution, such entity’s business is continued without the commencement of liquidation or winding-up); and (c) a disposition in connection with, or in lieu of, a foreclosure of an Encumbrance; but such terms shall not include the creation of an Encumbrance.
      Disposing Member - Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A).
      Disposition Notice - Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A).
      Dispute - Section 11.01.
      Disputing Member - Section 11.01.
      Dissolution Event - Section 12.01.
      Effective Date - introductory paragraph.
      Encumber , Encumbering , or Encumbrance - the creation of a security interest, lien, pledge, mortgage or other encumbrance, whether such encumbrance be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Law.

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      Estimated Cost -with respect to the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity, the estimated Cost thereof, as determined pursuant to Section 7.02(b) or 7.03(a), as applicable.
      Exercise Notice - Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A).
      Facilities - (a) the Initial Facilities and (b) any Capital Opportunities that are approved by the Management Committee and constructed or acquired in accordance with Section 7.02 or 7.03 (as applicable).
      Fair Market Value - (a) the fair market cash value of the Membership Interest of the Changing Member as determined pursuant to the terms of Section 13.11(b), or (b) the fair market cash value of the consideration to be paid to the Disposing Member pursuant to the proposed Disposition as determined pursuant to the terms of Section 13.11(a), as applicable.
      FERC - the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to the powers of such commission.
      FERC Application - the document pursuant to which application for a certificate(s) of public convenience and necessity is made under Section 7 of the NGA to the FERC by the Company for authority to construct, own, acquire and operate, and provide service on, the Initial Facilities or the facilities related to any Capital Opportunity (as applicable), including any applicable amendment thereof.
      FERC Certificate - the certificate(s) of public convenience and necessity issued by the FERC pursuant to any FERC Application.
      FERC Response Date - 30 Days following the date upon which the FERC has issued the applicable FERC Certificate.
      Financing Commitment - definitive agreements between one or more financial institutions or other Persons and the Company or the Financing Entity pursuant to which such financial institutions or other Persons agree, subject to the conditions set forth therein, to lend money to, or purchase securities of, the Company or the Financing Entity, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance all or a portion of the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity (as applicable).
      Financing Entity - a corporation, limited liability company, trust or other entity that may be organized for the purpose of issuing securities, the proceeds from which are to be advanced directly or indirectly to the Company to finance all or a portion of the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity (as applicable).
      First Side - Section 13.11(c).
      FMV Notice - Section 13.11(c).
      Gas Transportation Service Agreements - the gas transportation service agreements by and between the Company or its designee and the Shippers for the transportation of natural gas through the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity (as applicable).

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      GMOS – Gulfstream Management & Operating Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.
      Governmental Authority (or Governmental ) — a federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority; a state, province, commonwealth, territory or district thereof; a county or parish; a city, town, township, village or other municipality; a district, ward or other subdivision of any of the foregoing; any executive, legislative or other governing body of any of the foregoing; any agency, authority, board, department, system, service, office, commission, committee, council or other administrative body of any of the foregoing; including the FERC, any court or other judicial body; and any officer, official or other representative of any of the foregoing.
      including — including, without limitation.
      Indebtedness of the Company - indebtedness for borrowed money owed by the Company.
      Initial Facilities — include: (i) the Phase I facilities as approved by FERC on March 28, 2002 in Docket No. CP00-6-003 (98 ¶ FERC 61,349 (2002)), which were constructed and placed into service on May 28, 2002; (ii) Line 500 and that portion of Line 700 of the Phase II facilities approved by FERC on March 28, 2002 in Docket No. CP00-6,003 (98 ¶ FERC 61,349 (2002)) necessary to reach Florida Power & Light Company’s Martin Plant in Martin County, Florida (the “Martin Plant”); and (iii) any associated lateral facilities extending from Line 700 necessary to extend to the Martin Plant which have not yet been approved by FERC.
      In-Service Date - the date of the placing of the Initial Facilities in service. Promptly after such date, GMOS shall notify the Members of its occurrence.
      Law - any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a Governmental Authority having valid jurisdiction.
      LLC Agreement – Recital 2.
      Majority Interest - Section 6.02(f)(i)(D).
      Management Committee - Section 6.02.
      MDth - one thousand dekatherms.
      Matured Financing Obligation – the Company’s debt for borrowed money (including any related interest, costs, fees, hedge unwind costs or other repayment obligations) that has become due (including by acceleration or any full or partial mandatory prepayment thereof) under any Financing Commitment.

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      Member - any Person executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement as a member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be a member in the Company.
      Membership Interest - with respect to any Member, (a) that Member’s status as a Member; (b) that Member’s share of the income, gain, loss, deduction and credits of, and the right to receive distributions from, the Company; (c) any Priority Interest to which that Member is entitled pursuant to Section 4.06(b); (d) all other rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by that Member (under the Act, this Agreement, or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member, including that Member’s rights to vote, consent and approve and otherwise to participate in the management of the Company, including through the Management Committee; and (e) all obligations, duties and liabilities imposed on that Member (under the Act, this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member, including any obligations to make Capital Contributions.
      Necessary Regulatory Approvals - all Authorizations as may be required (but excluding Authorizations of a nature not customarily obtained prior to commencement of construction of facilities) in connection with (a) the formation of the Company and the construction, acquisition and operation of the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity (as applicable), and (b) the transportation of the natural gas to be transported under the applicable Gas Transportation Service Agreements through the Initial Facilities or any Capital Opportunity (as applicable), including (in each case) the applicable FERC Certificate.
      NGA - the Natural Gas Act.
      Non-Contributing Member - Section 4.06(a).
      Officer - any Person designated as an officer of the Company as provided in Section 6.02(k), but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be an officer of the Company.
      LLC Agreement - Recital 1.
      Operating Budget - the annual operating budget for the Company that is approved (or deemed approved) pursuant to Section 6.02(i)(iii)(B). The Operating Budget shall cover all items that are classified as non-capital items under Required Accounting Practices, but it shall not include any such items that are attributable to Capital Opportunities.
      Parent - the Person that Controls a Member and that is not itself Controlled by any other Person. The Parents of the initial Members as of the Effective Date are set forth in Exhibit A. Exhibit A shall be promptly updated by a Member upon any change to the identity of such Member’s Parent.
      Person - the meaning assigned that term in Section 18-101(11) of the Act and also includes a Governmental Authority and any other entity.

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      Phase II - the pipeline facilities described as “Phase II” in the Order Amending Certificate issued by the FERC on October 8, 2003 in Docket No. CP00-6-010 (105 F.E.R.C. ¶ 61,052).
      Phase III - the proposed expansion to extend the existing Gulfstream facilities from a location near the terminus of the existing Phase II facilities approved in FERC Docket No. CP00-6 et. al. and CP04-9 to Florida Power & Light Company’s proposed West County Energy Center in Palm Beach County, Florida, consisting of approximately 35-miles of 30-inch pipeline and associated metering and regulations facilities.
      Preferential Right - Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A).
      Priority Interest - the special distribution rights under Section 4.06(b) received by each Additional Contribution Member, which rights include the right to receive the return described in Section 4.06(b)(i) and which form part of the Additional Contribution Member’s Membership Interest.
      Priority Interest Sharing Ratio - Section 4.06(b).
      PUHCA - the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
      PUHCA Event - Section 3.02(d).
      Purchasing Member - Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A).
      Quarter - unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Company.
      Reimbursable Costs - with respect to a Person, the sum of (a) Third Person Expenses paid by such Person, and (b) the fully-burdened costs of all employees of such Person and its Affiliates utilized to perform the applicable services, provided that the Management Committee shall determine the procedures and methodology to be utilized to determine such costs, and the same procedures and methodology shall be used for all Members and their Affiliates.
      Representative - Section 6.02(a)(i).
      Required Accounting Practices - the accounting rules and regulations, if any, at the time prescribed by the Governmental Authorities under the jurisdiction of which the Company is at the time operating and, to the extent of matters not covered by such rules and regulations, generally accepted accounting principles as practiced in the United States at the time prevailing for companies engaged in a business similar to that of the Company.
      SEC - the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to the powers of such commission under PUHCA.
      Second Notice - Section 13.11(c).
      Second Side - Section 13.11(c).

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      Securities Act - the Securities Act of 1933.
      SEGT – Spectra Transmission Corporation (f/k/a Duke Energy Gas Transmission Corporation).
      Services Agreement – as defined in the COM Agreement.
      SESP - introductory paragraph.
      Sharing Ratio - subject in each case to adjustments in accordance with this Agreement or in connection with Dispositions of Membership Interests, (a) in the case of a Member executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement or a Person acquiring such Member’s Membership Interest, the percentage specified for that Member as its Sharing Ratio on Exhibit A, and (b) in the case of Membership Interests issued pursuant to Section 3.04, the Sharing Ratio established pursuant thereto; provided, however, that the total of all Sharing Ratios shall always equal 100%.
      Shippers - those Persons that have entered into Gas Transportation Service Agreements (or, where applicable, a precedent agreement relating thereto).
      Sole Discretion - Section 6.02(f)(ii).
      Supermajority Interest - Section 6.02(f)(i)(C).
      Tax Matters Member - Section 8.03(a).
      Term - Section 2.06.
      Third Person Expenses - the expenses paid by the Person involved to other Persons who are not Affiliates in connection with the performance of the applicable services.
      Treasury Regulations - the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code. All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury Regulations.
      Ultramajority Interest - Section 6.02(f)(i)(B).
      Unanimous Interest - Section 6.02(f)(i)(A).
      Unexercised Portion - Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A).
      WGPG - introductory paragraph.
      West County Energy Center Project - the Company’s Phase III project which is described in the Company’s application to amend its certificate of public convenience and

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necessity in FERC Docket No. CP00-6-014, as amended from time to time, pursuant to which the Company will construct approximately 35 miles of 30-inch pipeline in Martin County, Florida and Palm Beach County, Florida to connect the Company’s existing Facilities to Florida Power & Light Company’s West County Energy Center in Palm Beach County, Florida.
      Williams – Williams Gas Pipeline Company, LLC.
      Withdraw, Withdrawing or Withdrawal - the withdrawal, resignation or retirement of a Member from the Company as a Member. Such terms shall not include any Dispositions of Membership Interest (which are governed by Sections 3.03(a) and (b)), even though the Member making a Disposition may cease to be a Member as a result of such Disposition.
      Withdrawn Member - Section 10.03.
Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.
     1.02 Interpretation . Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) the gender (or lack of gender) of all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine, and neuter; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) references to Exhibits refer to the Exhibits attached to this Agreement, each of which is made a part hereof for all purposes; (d) references to Laws refer to such Laws as they may be amended from time to time, and references to particular provisions of a Law include any corresponding provisions of any succeeding Law; and (e) references to money refer to legal currency of the United States of America.
ARTICLE 2
ORGANIZATION
     2.01 Formation . The Company has been organized as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of the Delaware Certificate as of May 17, 1999.
     2.02 Name . The name of the Company is “Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.” and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with Law as the Management Committee may select.
     2.03 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices . The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the Delaware Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Management Committee may designate in the manner provided by Law. The registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent named in the Delaware Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Management Committee may designate in the manner provided by Law. The principal office of the Company in the United States shall be at such place as the Management Committee may designate, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records there or such other place as the Management Committee shall designate and shall keep the street address of such principal office at the registered office of the Company in the State of

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Delaware. The Company may have such other offices as the Management Committee may designate.
     2.04 Purposes . The purposes of the Company are to plan, design, construct, acquire, own, maintain and operate the Facilities, to market the services of the Facilities, to engage in the transmission of natural gas through the Facilities, and to engage in any activities directly or indirectly relating thereto; provided, however, that the Members determine, as of the date of the commencement of any such activities, that such activity (a) generates “ qualifying income ” (as such term is defined pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code) or (b) enhances the operation of an activity of the Company that generates qualifying income.
     2.05 Foreign Qualification . Prior to the Company’s conducting business in any jurisdiction other than Delaware, the Management Committee shall cause the Company to comply, to the extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of the Management Committee, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in that jurisdiction. At the request of the Management Committee, each Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to, and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue, and terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.
     2.06 Term . The period of existence of the Company (the “Term” ) commenced on May 17, 1999 and shall end at such time as a certificate of cancellation is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with Section 12.04.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP; DISPOSITIONS OF INTERESTS
     3.01 Current Members . As of the Effective Date, SESP and WGPG are the Members of the Company.
     3.02 Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Each Member hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Company and each other Member that the following statements are true and correct as of the Effective Date and shall be true and correct at all times that such Member is a Member:
     (a) that Member is duly incorporated, organized or formed (as applicable), validly existing, and (if applicable) in good standing under the Law of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation; if required by applicable Law, that Member is duly qualified and in good standing in the jurisdiction of its principal place of business, if different from its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation; and that Member has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and all necessary actions by the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members, partners, trustees, beneficiaries, or other applicable Persons necessary for the due authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by that Member have been duly taken;

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     (b) that Member has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and the other documents contemplated herein, and they constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of that Member enforceable against it in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Laws of general application and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered at law or in equity);
     (c) that Member’s authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does not and will not (i) conflict with, or result in a breach, default or violation of, (A) the organizational documents of such Member, (B) any contract or agreement to which that Member is a party or is otherwise subject, or (C) any Law, order, judgment, decree, writ, injunction or arbitral award to which that Member is subject; or (ii) require any consent, approval or authorization from, filing or registration with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority or other Person, unless such requirement has already been satisfied; and
     (d) that Member is exempt from, or is not subject to, regulation as a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company,” in each case as such term is defined in PUHCA; provided, however, that, if the statements in this Section 3.02(d) cease to be true and correct as to a Member (a “ PUHCA Event ”), such PUHCA Event shall not constitute a Default with respect to such Member or cause such Member to have withdrawn from the Company pursuant to Section 10.02(b) if (i) such Member submits, within five Business Days after such PUHCA Event, a good-faith application to the SEC under PUHCA, and (ii) such application has the effect of exempting all other Members, all “affiliates” (as defined in PUHCA) of such other Members, and the Company from any obligation, duty, or liability under PUHCA; and provided further that, if the SEC denies the Member’s application, such PUHCA Event shall constitute a Default with respect to such Member and shall cause such Member to have withdrawn from the Company pursuant to, and subject to the terms of, Section 10.02(b).
     3.03 Dispositions and Encumbrances of Membership Interests .
     (a) General Restriction. A Member may not Dispose of or Encumber all or any portion of its Membership Interest except in strict accordance with this Section 3.03. References in this Section 3.03 to Dispositions or Encumbrances of a “Membership Interest” shall also refer to Dispositions or Encumbrances of a portion of a Membership Interest. Any attempted Disposition or Encumbrance of a Membership Interest, other than in strict accordance with this Section 3.03, shall be, and is hereby declared, null and void ab initio. The rights and obligations constituting a Membership Interest may not be separated, divided or split from the other attributes of a Membership Interest except as contemplated by the express provisions of this Agreement. The Members agree that a breach of the provisions of this Section 3.03 may cause irreparable injury to the Company and to the other Members for which monetary damages (or other remedy at law) are inadequate in view of (i) the complexities and uncertainties in measuring the actual damages that would be sustained by reason of the failure of a Member to comply with such provision and (ii) the uniqueness of the Company business and the relationship among the Members. Accordingly, the Members agree that the provisions of this Section 3.03 may be enforced by specific performance pursuant to Section 11.04(b).

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     (b)  Dispositions of Membership Interests .
     (i) General Restriction . A Member may not Dispose of its Membership Interest except by complying with all of the following requirements: (A) such Member must offer the other Members the right to acquire such Membership Interest in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(ii), unless the proposed Assignee is an Affiliate of the Disposing Member or the other Members consent to the Disposition to such Assignee, which consent may be granted or withheld in the Sole Discretion of each Member; (B) such Member must comply with the requirements of Section 3.03(b)(iv) and, if the Assignee is to be admitted as a Member, Section 3.03(b)(iii); and (C), unless the proposed Assignee is an Affiliate of the Disposing Member, the Disposition must comply with the following minimum size requirements: (I) if such Member’s Sharing Ratio is less than 20%, the Disposition must include all of the Member’s Membership Interest, and (II) if such Member’s Sharing Ratio is 20% or more, but such Member does not propose to Dispose of all of its Membership Interest, the Disposition must be of a Membership Interest having a Sharing Ratio of at least 10% and must be of an amount such that such Member will retain a Sharing Ratio of at least 10%.
     (ii) Preferential Purchase Right .
     (A) Procedure. If a Member at any time desires to consummate a bona fide transaction that will result in the Disposition of all or a portion of its Membership Interest (whether or not the proposed Disposition is to another Member), then such Member (the “Disposing Member” ) shall promptly give notice thereof (the “Disposition Notice” ) to the Company and the other Members; provided, however, that this Section 3.03(b)(ii) shall not apply to a Disposition to an Affiliate of the Disposing Member. The Disposition Notice shall set forth all relevant information with respect to the proposed Disposition, including the name and address of the prospective acquirer, the precise Membership Interest that is the subject of the Disposition, the price to be paid for such Membership Interest, and any other terms and conditions of the proposed Disposition. The other Members shall have the preferential right ( “Preferential Right” ) to acquire, for the same purchase price, and on the same terms and conditions, as are set forth in the Disposition Notice, such Membership Interest; provided, however, that, if the purchase price to be paid to the Disposing Member pursuant to the proposed Disposition is not entirely in cash, the purchase price for the Members exercising the Preferential Right shall be the Fair Market Value. Each Member (excluding the Disposing Member) shall have the right (but not the obligation) to acquire a portion of the applicable Membership Interest that is equal to (I) the Sharing Ratio represented by such Membership Interest times (II) a fraction, the numerator of which is such Member’s Sharing Ratio and the denominator of which is the total Sharing Ratios of all Members other than the Disposing Member. Each Member (other than the Disposing Member) shall have 30 Days following its receipt of the Disposition Notice (or if the price to be paid pursuant to such offer is not in cash, then 30 Days following the determination of the Fair Market Value of such Membership Interest) in which to notify the other Members (including the Disposing Member) whether such Member desires to exercise its Preferential Right. A notice in which a Member exercises such Preferential Right is referred to herein as an “Exercise Notice,” and a Member that delivers an Exercise Notice is referred to herein as a “Purchasing Member” . If the Purchasing Members constitute less than all of the Members (other than the

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Disposing Member), and consequently, there is a portion of the Membership Interest for which such Preferential Right has not been exercised (an “Unexercised Portion” ), then each Purchasing Member shall have 20 Days following the end of such period in which to notify the other Purchasing Members and the Disposing Member whether it desires to acquire the portion of the Unexercised Portion that is equal to (aa) the Sharing Ratio represented by the Unexercised Portion times (bb) a fraction, the numerator of which is such Purchasing Member’s Sharing Ratio and the denominator of which is the total Sharing Ratios of all Purchasing Members. If, at the end of such 20-Day period, there remains an Unexercised Portion, then the Purchasing Members shall have an additional 10-Day period in which to negotiate among themselves for a mutually-agreeable method of sharing the acquisition of the remaining Unexercised Portion. If the Purchasing Members are able to reach such agreement during such 10-Day period, then the Preferential Right shall be deemed exercised, and the Disposing Member and the Purchasing Members shall close the acquisition of the Membership Interest in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(ii)(B). If, however, the Purchasing Members are unable to reach such agreement during such 10-Day period, then the Preferential Right shall be deemed to have been waived, and the Disposing Member shall be free to Dispose of the entire Membership Interest in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(ii)(C). A Member that fails to exercise a right during any applicable period set forth in this Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A) shall be deemed to have waived such right for the subject Disposition, but not any right for future Dispositions.
     (B) Closing. If the Preferential Right is deemed exercised in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A), the closing of the purchase of the Membership Interest shall occur at the principal place of business of the Company no later than the 60th Day after the expiration of the last applicable period referred to in such Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A) (or, if later, the fifth Business Day after the receipt of all applicable Authorizations to the purchase), unless the Disposing Member and the Purchasing Members agree upon a different place or date. At the closing, (I) the Disposing Member shall execute and deliver to the Purchasing Members (aa) an assignment of the Membership Interest, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchasing Members, containing a general warranty of title as to such Membership Interest (including that such Membership Interest is free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than those permitted under Section 3.03(c)(ii)) and (bb) any other instruments reasonably requested by the Purchasing Members to give effect to the purchase; and (II) the Purchasing Members shall deliver to the Disposing Member in immediately-available funds the purchase price provided for in Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A). The Sharing Ratios and Capital Accounts of the Members shall be deemed adjusted to reflect the effect of the purchase.
     (C) Waiver of Preferential Right. If no Members deliver Exercise Notices or if the Preferential Right is otherwise deemed waived pursuant to Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A), the Disposing Member shall have the right, subject to compliance with the provisions of Sections 3.03(a) and (b), to Dispose of the Membership Interest described in the Disposition Notice to the proposed Assignee strictly in accordance with the terms of the Disposition Notice for a period of 60 Days after the expiration of the last applicable period referred to in such Section

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3.03(b)(ii)(A) (or, if later, the fifth Business Day after the receipt of all applicable Authorizations to the purchase). If, however, the Disposing Member fails so to Dispose of the Membership Interest within such 60-Day period (or, if applicable, such fifth Business Day period), the proposed Disposition shall again become subject to the Preferential Right.
     (iii) Admission of Assignee as a Member . An Assignee has the right to be admitted to the Company as a Member, with the Membership Interest (and attendant Sharing Ratio) so transferred to such Assignee, only if such Disposition is effected in strict compliance with Sections 3.03(a) and (b).
     (iv) Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions . In addition to the requirements set forth in Sections 3.03(b)(i), 3.03(b)(ii) and 3.03(b)(iii), any Disposition of a Membership Interest and any admission of an Assignee as a Member shall also be subject to the following requirements, and such Disposition (and admission, if applicable) shall not be effective unless such requirements are complied with; provided, however, that the Management Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive any of the following requirements:
     (A) Disposition Documents . The following documents must be delivered to the Management Committee and must be satisfactory, in form and substance, to the Management Committee:
     (I) Disposition Instrument . A copy of the instrument pursuant to which the Disposition is effected.
     (II) Ratification of this Agreement. An instrument, executed by the Disposing Member and its Assignee, containing the following information and agreements, to the extent they are not contained in the instrument described in Section 3.03(b)(iv)(A)(I): (aa) the notice address of the Assignee; (bb) if applicable, the Parent of the Assignee; (cc) the Sharing Ratios after the Disposition of the Disposing Member and its Assignee (which together must total the Sharing Ratio of the Disposing Member before the Disposition); (dd) the Assignee’s ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it, and its confirmation that the representations and warranties in Section 3.02 are true and correct with respect to it; and (ee) representations and warranties by the Disposing Member and its Assignee (AA) that the Disposition and admission is being made in accordance with all applicable Laws, (BB) that the matters set forth in Sections 3.03(b)(iv)(A)(III) and (IV) are true and correct, and (CC) that the Disposition and admission do not violate any Financing Commitment or any other agreement to which the Company is a party.
     (III) Securities Law Opinion. Unless the Membership Interest subject to the Disposition is registered under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities Law, a favorable opinion of the Company’s legal counsel, or of other legal counsel acceptable to the Management Committee, to the effect that the Disposition and admission is being made pursuant to a

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valid exemption from registration under those Laws and in accordance with those Laws; provided, however, that no such opinion shall be required in the case of a Disposition by a Member to an Affiliate.
     (B) Payment of Expenses . The Disposing Member and its Assignee shall pay, or reimburse the Company for, all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Disposition and admission, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the legal opinion referred to in Section 3.03(b)(iv)(A)(III), on or before the 10th Day after the receipt by that Person of the Company’s invoice for the amount due. The Company will provide such invoice as soon as practicable after the amount due is determined but in no event later than 90 days thereafter. If payment is not made by the date due, the Person owing that amount shall pay interest on the unpaid amount from the date due until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.
     (C) No Release. No Disposition of a Membership Interest shall effect a release of the Disposing Member from any liabilities to the Company or the other Members arising from events occurring prior to the Disposition.
     (D) Indebtedness of Company. Any Disposition of a Membership Interest shall also include all of the Indebtedness owed by the Company to the Disposing Member (or, if only a portion of a Membership Interest is being Disposed, a proportionate share of such Indebtedness). As long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, all evidences of Indebtedness of the Company owed to any of the Members shall bear an appropriate legend to indicate that it is held subject to, and may be Disposed only in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and that such Disposition may be made only in conjunction with the Disposition of a proportionate part of such Member’s Membership Interest.
     (E) Tax Partnership Transfer Limitations.
          (I) During any 12 month period the total Sharing Ratio of Dispositions (including, without duplication, Deemed Tax Dispositions) by or with respect to any Member shall not exceed 49.9% of the Sharing Ratio of such Member as of the beginning of such 12 month period unless (i) the prior written consent of the other Members shall have been obtained (which consent may be granted or withheld in the Sole Discretion of each Member) or (ii) the Disposition or Deemed Tax Disposition is equal to or less than a 24.95% Sharing Ratio and when combined with the Sharing Ratios transferred (or deemed transferred) pursuant to all other Dispositions and Deemed Dispositions by or with respect to all Members during such 12 month period, does not exceed 49.9% of the Sharing Ratios of all Members.
          (II) If SESP or WGPC makes a Disposition, then for a period of 25 months following the effective date of such Disposition the Assignee of such Disposition may not make a Disposition or Deemed Tax Disposition of any part of the Membership Interest received by such Assignee unless the prior written consent of the other Members shall have

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been obtained (which consent may be granted or withheld in the Sole Discretion of each Member).
          (III) In connection with each such Disposition and Deemed Tax Disposition, the Member making the Disposition or with respect to whom the Deemed Tax Disposition applies shall give notice to the other Members of the date of the consummation of such Disposition or Deemed Tax Disposition and the Sharing Ratio of the Membership Interest so transferred or deemed transferred.
          (IV) As used herein, the term “Deemed Tax Disposition” means any event or series of events that is treated for federal income tax purposes as a sale or exchange of a Member’s Membership Interest or portion thereof for purposes of Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code.
     (v) Deemed Membership Disposition. A Deemed Membership Disposition shall be deemed to be a Disposition of a Membership Interest and must comply with the requirements set forth in Sections 3.03(a) and (b).
     (vi) Change of Member Control .
     (A) Procedure. In the event of a Change of Member Control, then the Member with respect to which the Change of Member Control has occurred (the “Changing Member” ) shall promptly (and in all events within five Business Days after the Change in Member Control) give notice thereof (the “Control Notice” ) to the Company and the other Members. If the Control Notice is not given by the Changing Member as provided above and any other Member becomes aware of such Change of Member Control, such other Member shall have the right to give the Control Notice to the Changing Member, the Company and the other Members. The other Members shall have the right (the “ Buy-out Right ”) to acquire the Membership Interest of the Changing Member for the Fair Market Value thereof. Each Member (excluding the Changing Member) shall have the right (but not the obligation) to acquire a portion of the applicable Membership Interest that is equal to (I) the Sharing Ratio represented by such Membership Interest times (II) a fraction, the numerator of which is such Member’s Sharing Ratio and the denominator of which is the total Sharing Ratios of all Members other than the Changing Member. Each Member (other than the Changing Member) shall have 30 Days following the determination of the Fair Market Value of such Membership Interest in which to notify the other Members (including the Changing Member) whether such Member desires to exercise its Buy-out Right. A notice in which a Member exercises such Buy-out Right is referred to herein as a “Change Exercise Notice,” and a Member that delivers a Change Exercise Notice is referred to herein as a “Change Purchasing Member” . If the Change Purchasing Members constitute less than all of the Members (other than the Changing Member), and consequently, there is a portion of the Membership Interest for which such Buy-out Right has not been exercised (a “Change Unexercised Portion” ), then each Change Purchasing Member shall have 20 Days following the end of such period in which to notify the other Change Purchasing Members and the Changing Member whether it desires to acquire the

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portion of the Change Unexercised Portion that is equal to (aa) the Sharing Ratio represented by the Change Unexercised Portion times (bb) a fraction, the numerator of which is such Change Purchasing Member’s Sharing Ratio and the denominator of which is the total Sharing Ratios of all Change Purchasing Members. If, at the end of such 20-Day period, there remains a Change Unexercised Portion, then the Change Purchasing Members shall have an additional 10-Day period in which to negotiate among themselves for a mutually-agreeable method of sharing the acquisition of the remaining Change Unexercised Portion. If the Change Purchasing Members are able to reach such agreement during such 10-Day period, then the Buy-out Right shall be deemed exercised, and the Changing Member and the Change Purchasing Members shall close the acquisition of the Membership Interest in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(vi)(B). If, however, the Change Purchasing Members are unable to reach such agreement during such 10-Day period, then the Buy-out Right shall be deemed to have been waived. A Member that fails to exercise a right during any applicable period set forth in this Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A) shall be deemed to have waived such right for the subject Change of Member Control, but not any right for future Changes of Member Control.
     (B) Closing. If the Buy-out Right is deemed exercised in accordance with Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A), the closing of the purchase of the Membership Interest shall occur at the principal place of business of the Company no later than the 60th Day after the expiration of the last applicable period referred to in such Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A) (or, if later, the fifth Business Day after the receipt of all applicable Authorizations to the purchase), unless the Changing Member and the Change Purchasing Members agree upon a different place or date. At the closing, (I) the Changing Member shall execute and deliver to the Change Purchasing Members (aa) an assignment of the Membership Interest, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Change Purchasing Members, containing a general warranty of title as to such Membership Interest (including that such Membership Interest is free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than those permitted under Section 3.03(c)(ii)) and (bb) any other instruments reasonably requested by the Change Purchasing Members to give effect to the purchase; and (II) the Change Purchasing Members shall deliver to the Changing Member in immediately-available funds the purchase price provided for in Section 3.03(b)(vi)(A). The Sharing Ratios and Capital Accounts of the Members shall be deemed adjusted to reflect the effect of the purchase.
     (c)  Encumbrances of Membership Interest. A Member may not Encumber its Membership Interest, except by complying with one of the two following paragraphs:
     (i) (A) such Member must receive the consent of a Majority Interest of the non-Encumbering Members (calculated without reference to the Sharing Ratio of the Encumbering Member), which consent (as contemplated by Section 6.02(f)(ii)) may be granted or withheld in the Sole Discretion of each such other Member; and (B) the instrument creating such Encumbrance must provide that any foreclosure of such Encumbrance (or Disposition in lieu of such foreclosure) must comply with the requirements of Sections 3.03(a) and (b); or
     (ii) such Encumbrance is required by the terms of a Financing Commitment.

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     3.04 Creation of Additional Membership Interest . Additional Membership Interests may be created and issued to existing Members or to other Persons, and such other Persons may be admitted to the Company as Members, with the consent of an Ultramajority Interest, on such terms and conditions as an Ultramajority Interest may determine at the time of admission. The terms of admission or issuance must specify the Sharing Ratios applicable thereto and may provide for the creation of different classes or groups of Members having different rights, powers, and duties. Any such admission is effective only after the new Member has executed and delivered to the Members an instrument containing the notice address of the new Member, the Assignee’s ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it, and its confirmation that the representations and warranties in Section 3.02 are true and correct with respect to it. The provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not apply to Dispositions of Membership Interests or admissions of Assignees in connection therewith, such matters being governed by Sections 3.03(a) and (b).
     3.05 Access to Information . Each Member shall be entitled to receive any information that it may request concerning the Company; provided, however, that this Section 3.05 shall not obligate the Company, the Management Committee, or GMOS to create any information that does not already exist at the time of such request (other than to convert existing information from one medium to another, such as providing a printout of information that is stored in a computer database), except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02. Each Member shall also have the right, upon reasonable notice, and at all reasonable times during usual business hours to inspect the properties of the Company and to audit, examine and make copies of the books of account and other records of the Company. Such right may be exercised through any agent or employee of such Member designated in writing by it or by an independent public accountant, engineer, attorney or other consultant so designated. The Member making the request shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in any inspection, examination or audit made on such Member’s behalf. The Members and GMOS agree to reasonably cooperate, and to cause their respective independent public accountants, engineers, attorneys or other consultants to reasonably cooperate, in connection with any such request. Confidential Information obtained pursuant to this Section 3.05 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 3.06.
     3.06 Confidential Information . (a) Except as permitted by Section 3.06(b), (i) each Member shall keep confidential all Confidential Information and shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any Person, including any of its Affiliates, and (ii) each Member shall use the Confidential Information only in connection with the Facilities and the Company.
     (b) Notwithstanding Section 3.06(a), but subject to the other provisions of this Section 3.06, a Member may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:
     (i) disclosures to another Member or to GMOS in connection with the Company;
     (ii) disclosures and uses that are approved by the Management Committee;
     (iii) disclosures that may be required from time to time to obtain requisite Authorizations or financing for the Initial Facilities or any proposed Capital Opportunity, if such disclosures are approved by the Management Committee;

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     (iv) disclosures to an Affiliate (that is not the Parent) of such Member, including the directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Affiliate, if such Affiliate has agreed to abide by the terms of this Section 3.06, and special care shall be taken to restrict such disclosures in any case where such Affiliate is or may become a Shipper or an “Energy Affiliate” (as defined in the FERC’s Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers, 18 C.F.R. Part 358, Section 358.3(d));
     (v) disclosures to the Parent of such Member, including the directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Parent, if such Parent has agreed to abide by the terms of this Section 3.06;
     (vi) disclosures to a Person that is not a Member or an Affiliate of a Member, if such Person has been retained by the Company, a Member or GMOS to provide services in connection with the Company and has agreed to abide by the terms of this Section 3.06;
     (vii) disclosures to a bona-fide potential direct or indirect purchaser of such Member’s Membership Interest, if such potential purchaser has agreed to abide by the terms of this Section 3.06;
          (viii) disclosures required, with respect to a Member or an Affiliate of a Member, pursuant to (i) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (iii) any state securities Laws, or (iv) any national securities exchange or automated quotation system; and
     (ix) disclosures that a Member is legally compelled to make by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or similar process, or otherwise by Law; provided, however, that, prior to any such disclosure, such Member shall, to the extent legally permissible:
     (A) provide the Management Committee with prompt notice of such requirements so that one or more of the Members may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the terms of this Section 3.06(b)(ix);
     (B) consult with the Management Committee on the advisability of taking steps to resist or narrow such disclosure; and
     (C) cooperate with the Management Committee and with the other Members in any attempt one or more of them may make to obtain a protective order or other appropriate remedy or assurance that confidential treatment will be afforded the Confidential Information; and in the event such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or the other Members waive compliance with the provisions hereof, such Member agrees (I) to furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that, in the opinion of such Member’s counsel, such Member is legally required to disclose, and (II) to exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded such Confidential Information.

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     (c) Each Member shall take such precautionary measures as may be required to ensure (and such Member shall be responsible for) compliance with this Section 3.06 by any of its Affiliates, and its and their directors, officers, employees and agents, and other Persons to which it may disclose Confidential Information in accordance with this Section 3.06.
     (d) Promptly after its Withdrawal, a Withdrawn Member shall promptly destroy (and provide a certificate of destruction to the Company with respect to), or return to the Company, all Confidential Information in its possession. Notwithstanding the immediately-preceding sentence, but subject to the other provisions of this Section 3.06, a Withdrawn Member may retain for a stated period, but not disclose to any other Person, Confidential Information for the limited purposes of (i) explaining such Member’s corporate decisions with respect to the Facilities or (ii) preparing such Member’s tax returns and defending audits, investigations and proceedings relating thereto; provided, however, that the Withdrawn Member must notify the Management Committee in advance of such retention and specify in such notice the stated period of such retention.
     (e) The Members agree that no adequate remedy at law exists for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section 3.06, the continuation of which unremedied will cause the Company and the other Members to suffer irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Members agree that the Company and the other Members shall be entitled, in addition to other remedies that may be available to them, to immediate injunctive relief from any breach of any of the provisions of this Section 3.06 and to specific performance of their rights hereunder, as well as to any other remedies available at law or in equity, pursuant to Section 11.04.
     (f) The obligations of the Members under this Section 3.06 (including the obligations of any Withdrawn Member) shall terminate on the second anniversary of the end of the Term.
     3.07 Liability to Third Parties . No Member or its Affiliates shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.
     3.08 Use of Members’ Names and Trademarks . The Company, the Members and their Affiliates shall not use the name or trademark of any Member or its Affiliates in connection with public announcements regarding the Company, or marketing or financing activities of the Company, without the prior consent of such Member or Affiliate, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
     4.01 Capital Contributions . (a) Except as otherwise provided in the following provisions of this Section 4.01(a) and in Section 4.01(d), 4.02, 7.02 or 7.03, the Management Committee shall issue or cause to be issued a written request to each Member for the making of Capital Contributions at such times and in such amounts as the Management Committee shall approve (such written request referred to herein as a “ Capital Call ”). Such Capital Contributions shall be made in cash, unless a Supermajority Interest elects to request non-cash Capital Contributions. All amounts timely received by the Company pursuant to this Section 4.01 shall be credited to the respective Member’s Capital Account as of such specified date. As to each Capital Opportunity for which an Affirmative Acquisition Vote or Affirmative Construction Vote shall have occurred and each expansion project or other project covered by an Approved Precedent Agreement, no additional approval of the Management Committee shall be required for the Capital Contributions

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required to fund such Capital Opportunity or project; rather, the Management Committee shall issue written notices to each Member for such Capital Contributions at such times and in such amounts necessary to fund the costs associated with the related Capital Opportunity or project in a manner consistent with the funding of the costs associated with the expansion of the Facilities completed most recently to the Effective Date. Each Member acknowledges that the West County Energy Center Project and the Bartow Project each constitute a project covered by an Approved Precedent Agreement.
     (b) Each Capital Call issued pursuant to Section 4.01(a) shall contain the following information:
     (i) The total amount of Capital Contributions requested from all Members;
     (ii) The amount of Capital Contribution requested from the Member to whom the request is addressed, such amount to be in accordance with the Sharing Ratio of such Member;
     (iii) The purpose for which the funds are to be applied in such reasonable detail as the Management Committee shall direct; and
     (iv) The date on which payments of the Capital Contribution shall be made (which date shall not be less than 30 Days following the date the Capital Call is given, unless a sooner date is approved by the Management Committee) and the method of payment, provided that such date and method shall be the same for each of the Members.
     (c) Each Member agrees that it shall make payments of its respective Capital Contributions in accordance with Capital Calls issued pursuant to Section 4.01(a).
     (d) In addition to the authority granted the Management Committee in Section 4.01(a) to issue Capital Calls, if within thirty (30) days prior to the date any Matured Financing Obligation is to become due (or within fifteen (15) days after any notice of acceleration of any Matured Financing Obligation received prior to the maturity date thereof), (i) the Management Committee has not made a Capital Call for the payment of such amount that is (or is expected to be) a Matured Financing Obligation, and (ii) the Members have been unable to secure refinancing for such Matured Financing Obligation on reasonably acceptable terms after negotiating in good faith to do so with third party lender(s), then, at any time thereafter, any individual Member may on behalf of the Management Committee issue a Capital Call for cash in the amount required for the payment of such Matured Financing Obligation. If a Capital Call is validly issued by an individual Member under this Section 4.01(d), then each Member shall be obligated to pay such Capital Call as provided in this Section 4.01, but such payment shall be made within fifteen (15) days after the date the Capital Call is given (and not the thirty (30) day period provided for in Section 4.01(b)).
     4.02 Loans . (a) If the Management Committee determines that the Company needs funds, then, rather than calling for Capital Contributions, the Management Committee may issue or cause to be issued a written request to each Member for the making of loans to the Company at such times, in such amounts and under such terms and conditions as the Management Committee shall approve, provided that the Management Committee shall not call for loans rather than Capital Contributions if doing so would breach any Financing Commitment or other agreement of the

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Company. All amounts received from a Member after the date specified in Section 4.02(b)(iv) by the Company pursuant to this Section 4.02 shall be accompanied by interest on such overdue amounts (and the default shall not be cured unless such interest is also received by the Company), which interest shall be payable to the Company and shall accrue from and after such specified date at the Default Rate. Any such interest paid shall be credited to the respective Capital Accounts of all the Members, on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios as of the date such payment is made to the Company, but shall not be considered part of the principal of the loan.
     (b) Each written request issued pursuant to Section 4.02(a) shall contain the following information:
     (i) The total amount of loans requested from all Members;
     (ii) The amount of the loan requested from the Member to whom the request is addressed, such amount to be in accordance with the Sharing Ratio of such Member;
     (iii) The purpose for which the funds are to be applied in such reasonable detail as the Management Committee shall direct;
     (iv) The date on which the loans to the Company shall be made (which date shall not be less than 30 Days following the date the request is given, unless a sooner date is approved by the Management Committee) and the method of payment, provided that such date and method shall be the same for each of the Members; and
     (v) All terms concerning the repayment of or otherwise relating to such loans, provided that such terms shall be the same for each of the Members.
     (c) Each Member agrees that it shall make its respective loans in accordance with requests issued pursuant to Section 4.02(a).
     4.03 No Other Contribution Obligations . No Member shall be required or permitted to make any Capital Contributions or loans to the Company except pursuant to this Article 4.
     4.04 Return of Contributions . Except as expressly provided herein, a Member is not entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions or to be paid interest in respect of either its Capital Account or its Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member. A Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company to enable the Company to return any Member’s Capital Contributions.
     4.05 Capital Accounts . (a) The aggregate amount in the Capital Accounts existing as of February 1, 2001 was split evenly between SESP and WGPG with 50% of such aggregate amount in the Capital Account of SESP and 50% of such aggregate amount in the Capital Account of WGPG. Each Member’s Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of money contributed by that Member to the Company (including amounts paid by Williams and SEGT in conjunction with that certain Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement by and among SEGT, Williams, Coastal and ANRG regarding the acquisition of GNGS, dated December 8, 2000 that were not previously included in the Capital Accounts, and AFUDC, each to the extent approved by the Management Committee), (ii) the fair market value of property contributed by that Member to the Company (net

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of liabilities secured by such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of the Code), and (iii) allocations to that Member of Company income and gain (or items thereof), including income and gain exempt from tax and income and gain described in Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding income and gain described in Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(4)(i), and shall be decreased by (iv) the amount of money distributed to that Member by the Company, (v) the fair market value of property distributed to that Member by the Company (net of liabilities secured by such distributed property that such Member is considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of the Code), (vi) allocations to that Member of expenditures of the Company described (or treated as described) in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, and (vii) allocations of Company loss and deduction (or items thereof), including loss and deduction described in Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding items described in (vi) above and loss or deduction described in Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(4)(i) or 1.704-1(b)(4)(iii). The Members’ Capital Accounts shall also be maintained and adjusted as permitted by the provisions of Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and as required by the other provisions of Treasury Regulation §§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and 1.704-1(b)(4), including adjustments to reflect the allocations to the Members of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and gain or loss as computed for book purposes rather than the allocation of the corresponding items as computed for tax purposes, as required by Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g). Thus, the Members’ Capital Accounts shall be increased or decreased to reflect a revaluation of the Company’s property on its books based on the fair market value of the Company’s property on the date of adjustment (as determined pursuant to Section 4.05(b)), immediately prior to (A) the contribution of money or other property to the Company by a new or existing Member as consideration for a Membership Interest or an increased Sharing Ratio, (B) the distribution of money or other property by the Company to a Member as consideration for a Membership Interest, or (C) the liquidation of the Company. A Member who has more than one Membership Interest shall have a single Capital Account that reflects all such Membership Interests, regardless of the class of Membership Interests owned by such Member and regardless of the time or manner in which such Membership Interests were acquired. Upon the Disposition of all or a portion of a Membership Interest, the Capital Account of the Disposing Member that is attributable to such Membership Interest shall carry over to the Assignee in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l). The Capital Accounts shall not be deemed to be, nor have the same meaning as, the capital account of the Company under the NGA.
     (b) Whenever the fair market value of the Company’s property is required to be determined pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of Section 4.05(a), GMOS shall propose such a fair market value in a notice to the other Members. If any other Member disagrees with such determination, such Member shall notify the other Members of such disagreement within 10 Business Days of receiving such notice. If such Dispute is not resolved within five Business Days after such notice, any Member may submit such Dispute to binding arbitration by delivering an Arbitration Notice. All of the provisions of Article 11 shall apply to such arbitration, with the following exceptions: (i) the Arbitrator shall be an appraiser or investment banking firm having expertise in the valuation of natural gas transmission pipelines; (ii) the 20-Day period in Section 11.03(b) shall be a five-Business Day period; and (iii) the 90-Day period in Section 11.04 shall be a 20-Day period.

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     4.06 Failure to Make a Capital Contribution .
     (a)  General . If any Member fails to make a Capital Contribution as requested by the Management Committee (or on behalf of the Management Committee under Section 4.01(d) above) in a Capital Call validly and timely issued pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Agreement (each such Member being a “ Non-Contributing Member ”), and if such failure continues for more than ten (10) Days after the date on which it is due, the Members that have contributed their Capital Contribution (each, a “ Contributing Member ”) may (without limitation as to other remedies that may be available) thereafter elect to:
     (i) treat the Non-Contributing Member’s failure to contribute as a Default by giving notice thereof to the Non-Contributing Member, in which event the provisions of this Agreement regarding the commission of a Default by a Member shall apply (but if the Capital Call is for the payment of a Matured Financing Obligation, the Default shall be immediate on the giving of such notice and the thirty (30) day cure period contemplated in the definition of Default shall not apply); notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.06(a)(i) shall not apply in the case of a Capital Call issued by an individual Member under Section 4.01(d) above; or
     (ii) pay the portion of the Capital Contribution owed and unpaid by the Non-Contributing Member (the “ Additional Contribution ”) in which event the Contributing Members that elect to fund the Non-Contributing Members’ share (the “ Additional Contribution Members ”) may treat the contribution as one of: (1) a Capital Contribution resulting in the Additional Contribution Members receiving a Priority Interest under Section 4.06(b), or (2) a permanent capital contribution that results in an adjustment of Membership Interests under Section 4.06(c), as determined by the Additional Contribution Members as set forth below.
No Contributing Member shall be obligated to make either election (i) or (ii) above. The decision of the Contributing Members to elect (i) or (ii) above shall be made by the determination of the Contributing Members holding the majority of the Sharing Ratios of all Contributing Members, but (ii) above may not be elected unless at such time of determination there is one or more Additional Contribution Members. The decision of the Additional Contribution Members to elect (ii)(1) or (ii)(2) above shall be made by the determination of the Additional Contribution Members holding the majority of the Sharing Ratios of all Additional Contribution Members. Unless and until such election is made, payment of the Additional Contribution shall be treated as a Priority Interest under Section 4.06(a)(ii)(1). If the Additional Contribution Members make the election under Section 4.06(a)(ii) to treat the contribution as a contribution for which they receive a Priority Interest under Section 4.06(b), then the Additional Contribution Members will have the option, exercisable. at any time thereafter (by the election of Additional Contribution Members holding a majority of the Sharing Ratios of all Additional Contribution Members) upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other Members, to change their election such that the amount of the payment of the Non-Contributing Members’ portion of the Capital Contribution (less any amounts received by the Additional Contribution Members as a payment of the applicable Priority Interest (other than payment of the return amount forming a part thereof)) shall be treated as an Additional Contribution as provided in Section 4.06(c). In such event, the accrued and unpaid return forming part of the Priority Interest shall not be treated as an Additional Contribution but shall continue as a Priority

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Interest as provided in Section 4.06(b) below (with such amount to continue to compound return thereon).
     (b)  Priority Interest . If the Additional Contribution Members elect to treat the payment of Additional Contribution as a contribution for which the Additional Contribution Members receive a Priority Interest, then the following shall apply:
     (i) Each Additional Contribution Member shall receive a Priority Interest in the distributions from the Company that would otherwise be due and payable to the Non-Contributing Member(s). The Priority Interest received by each Additional Contribution Member shall be in the proportion that the amount of the Additional Contribution paid by such Additional Contribution Member bears to the amount of the Additional Contributions made by all Additional Contribution Members (each Additional Contribution Member’s percentage share of the Priority Interests shall be its “ Priority Interest Sharing Ratio ”). All distributions from the Company that would otherwise be due and payable to the Non-Contributing Member(s) instead shall be paid to the Additional Contribution Members in accordance with their respective Priority Interest Sharing Ratio and no distribution shall be made from the Company to any Non-Contributing Member until all Priority Interests have terminated. The Priority Interest shall terminate with respect to an Additional Contribution Member when that Additional Contribution Member has received either through the distributions it receives under its Priority Interest or through payment(s) to it by the Non-Contributing Member(s) (which payment(s) may be made by the Non-Contributing Member(s) at any time) of an amount equal to the Additional Contribution made by such Member, plus a return thereon of fourteen percent (14%) per annum (compounded monthly on the outstanding balance). For the purpose of making such calculation, all amounts received by an Additional Contribution Member shall be deemed to be applied first against a return on, and then to the amount of, the Additional Contribution. For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, any amount paid by a Non-Contributing Member to a Contributing Member to reduce and/or terminate a Priority Interest shall be treated as though such amount were contributed by the Non-Contributing Member to the Company and thereafter distributed by the Company to the Contributing Member with respect to its Priority Interest.
     (ii) The Priority Interests shall not alter the Sharing Ratios of the Members in the Company, nor shall the Priority Interests alter any distributions to the Contributing Members (in their capacity as Contributing Members, as opposed to their capacity as Additional Contribution Members) in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, a Member may not dispose of all or a portion of its Priority Interest except to a person to whom it disposes all or the applicable pro rata portion of its Membership Interest after compliance with the requirements of this Agreement in connection therewith.
     (iii) For so long as any Additional Contribution Member holds a Priority Interest, neither any Non-Contributing Member nor its Representative (except for a Non-Contributing Member that has paid to the Additional Contribution Member(s) all of the amount of the Additional Contribution attributable to such Non-Contributing Member in accordance with Section 4.06(b)(i)) shall have the right to vote its Membership Interest (or Sharing Ratio) under the Agreement with respect to any decision regarding distributions from the Company,

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and any distribution to which such Non-Contributing Member is entitled shall be paid to the Additional Contribution Members in respect of the Priority Interest.
     (iv) No Member that is a Non-Contributing Member may Dispose of its Membership Interest unless at the closing of such Disposition, either the Non-Contributing Member or the proposed Assignee pays the amount necessary to terminate the Priority Interest arising from such Non-Contributing Member’s failure to contribute. No Assignee shall be admitted to the Company as a Member until compliance with this Section 4.06(b)(iv) has occurred.
     (c)  Permanent Contribution . Subject to Section 4.06(a), if the Additional Contribution Members elect under Section 4.06(a) to have the Additional Contribution treated as a permanent capital contribution, then each Additional Contribution Member that funds a portion of the Additional Contribution shall have its capital account increased accordingly and the Members’ Membership Interests and Sharing Ratios will be automatically adjusted to equal each Member’s total Capital Contributions when expressed as a percentage of all Members’ Capital Contributions.
     (d)  Further Assurance . In connection with this Section 4.06, each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Section 4.06.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
     5.01 Distributions . Within 30 days following the end of each Quarter, the Management Committee shall approve the amount of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter, and an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 18-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article 5 to the Members (other than a Breaching Member) in proportion to their respective Sharing Ratios (at the time the amounts of such distributions are made).
     5.02 Distributions on Dissolution and Winding-Up . Upon the dissolution and winding-up of the Company, after adjusting the Capital Accounts for all distributions made under Section 5.01 and all allocations under Article 5, all available proceeds distributable to the Members as determined under Section 12.02 shall be distributed to all of the Members (other than a Breaching Member) in amounts equal to the Members’ positive Capital Account balances.
     5.03 Allocations . (a) For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts pursuant to Section 4.05 and for income tax purposes, except as provided in Section 5.03(b) and (c), each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios.
     (b) With respect to each period during which a Priority Interest is outstanding, each Additional Contribution Member shall be allocated items of income and gain in an amount equal to the return that accrues with respect to such Additional Contribution Member’s Additional Contribution pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(i), and items of income and gain that would otherwise be allocable to the Non-Contributing Member(s) shall be correspondingly reduced.

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     (c) For income tax purposes, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to property contributed to the Company by a Member or revalued pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) shall be allocated among the Members in a manner that takes into account the variation between the adjusted tax basis of such property and its book value, as required by Section 704(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i), using the remedial allocation method permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d).
     5.04 Varying Interests . All items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be allocated, and all distributions shall be made, to the Persons shown on the records of the Company to have been Members as of the last calendar day of the period for which the allocation or distribution is to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during any taxable year there is a change in any Member’s Sharing Ratio, the Members agree that their allocable shares of such items for the taxable year shall be determined on any method determined by the Management Committee to be permissible under Code Section 706 and the related Treasury Regulations to take account of the Members’ varying Sharing Ratios.
ARTICLE 6
MANAGEMENT
     6.01 Generally . The management of the Company is fully vested in the Members. To facilitate the orderly and efficient management of the Company, the Members shall act (a) collectively as a “committee of the whole” (named the Management Committee) pursuant to Section 6.02, and (b) through the delegation of certain duties and authority to GMOS and the Officers. Subject to the express provisions of this Agreement, each Member agrees that it will not exercise its authority under the Act to bind or commit the Company to agreements, transactions or other arrangements, or to hold itself out as an agent of the Company.
     6.02 Management Committee. The Members shall act collectively through meetings as a “committee of the whole,” which is hereby named the “Management Committee.” Decisions or actions taken by the Management Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute decisions or actions by the Company and shall be binding on each Member, Representative, Officer and employee of the Company. The Management Committee shall conduct its affairs in accordance with the following provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement:
     (a) Representatives.
     (i) Designation. To facilitate the orderly and efficient conduct of Management Committee meetings, each Member shall notify the other Members, from time to time, of the identity of (A) one of its officers, employees or agents who will represent it at such meetings (a “ Representative ”), and (B) at least one, but not more than two, of its officers, employees or agents, who will represent it at any meeting that the Member’s Representative is unable to attend (each an “ Alternate Representative ”). (The term “ Representative ” shall also refer to any Alternate Representative that is actually performing the duties of the applicable Representative.). The initial Representative and Alternate Representatives of each Member are set forth in Exhibit A. A Member may designate a different Representative or Alternate Representatives for any meeting of the Management

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Committee by notifying each of the other Members at least three Business Days prior to the scheduled date for such meeting; provided, however, that if giving such advance notice is not feasible, then such new Representative or Alternate Representatives shall present written evidence of his or her authority at the commencement of such meeting.
     (ii) Authority. Each Representative shall have the full authority to act on behalf of the Member that designated such Representative; the action of a Representative at a meeting (or through a written consent) of the Management Committee shall bind the Member that designated such Representative; and the other Members shall be entitled to rely upon such action without further inquiry or investigation as to the actual authority (or lack thereof) of such Representative. In addition, the act of an Alternate Representative shall be deemed the act of the Representative for which such Alternate Representative is acting, without the need to produce evidence of the absence or unavailability of such Representative.
     (iii) DISCLAIMER OF DUTIES; INDEMNIFICATION. EACH REPRESENTATIVE SHALL REPRESENT, AND OWE DUTIES TO, ONLY THE MEMBER THAT DESIGNATED SUCH REPRESENTATIVE (THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF SUCH DUTIES BEING AN INTERNAL CORPORATE AFFAIR OF SUCH MEMBER), AND NOT TO THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER MEMBER OR REPRESENTATIVE, OR ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 6.02(f)(ii) SHALL ALSO INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF EACH MEMBER’S REPRESENTATIVE. THE COMPANY SHALL INDEMNIFY, PROTECT, DEFEND, RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH REPRESENTATIVE FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIMS ASSERTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY PERSON (INCLUDING ANOTHER MEMBER), OTHER THAN THE MEMBER THAT DESIGNATED SUCH REPRESENTATIVE, THAT ARISE OUT OF, RELATE TO OR ARE OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTABLE TO, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SUCH REPRESENTATIVE’S SERVICE ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
     (iv) Attendance. Each Member shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its Representative or Alternate Representative to attend each meeting of the Management Committee, unless its Representative is unable to do so because of a “force majeure” event or other event beyond his reasonable control, in which event such Member shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its Representative or Alternate Representative to participate in the meeting by telephone pursuant to Section 6.02(h).
     (b) Chairman and Secretary. One of the Representatives will be designated as Chairman of the Management Committee, in accordance with this Section 6.02(b), to preside over meetings of the Management Committee. For the period through December 31, 2005, the Chairman shall be the Representative designated by SESP. From January 1, 2006 until December 31, 2006, the Chairman shall be the Representative designated by WGPG. Thereafter, unless the Management Committee decides otherwise, the Chairmanship shall be rotated on an annual basis among the Representatives of the Members, with such rotation proceeding with the Member having the largest Sharing Ratio going first (and alphabetically among Members with identical Sharing Ratios), and with the Members named in the

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preceding two sentences being excluded from the first round of rotation (unless they are the only Members); provided, however, no Member with a Sharing Ratio of less than 20% shall be entitled to designate the Chairman. Any Member may waive its right to the Chairmanship. The Management Committee shall also designate a Secretary of the Management Committee, who need not be a Representative, but shall be an employee of the Chairman’s company or an Affiliate thereof.
     (c) Procedures. The Secretary of the Management Committee shall maintain written minutes of each of its meetings, which shall be submitted for approval within 10 Days after each meeting. The Management Committee may adopt whatever rules and procedures relating to its activities as it may deem appropriate, provided that such rules and procedures shall not be inconsistent with or violate the provisions of this Agreement.
     (d) Time and Place of Meetings. The Management Committee shall meet quarterly, subject to more or less frequent meetings upon approval of the Management Committee. Notice of, and an agenda for, all Management Committee meetings shall be provided by the Chairman to all Members at least five Days prior to the date of each meeting, together with proposed minutes of the previous Management Committee meeting (if such minutes have not been previously ratified). Special meetings of the Management Committee may be called at such times, and in such manner, as any Member deems necessary. Any Member calling for any such special meeting shall notify the Chairman, who in turn shall notify all Members of the date and agenda for such meeting at least five Days prior to the date of such meeting. Such five-Day period may be shortened by the Management Committee, acting through a Unanimous Interest. All meetings of the Management Committee shall be held at a location designated by the Chairman. Attendance of a Member at a meeting of the Management Committee shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such Member attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
     (e) Quorum. The presence of a Majority Interest shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Management Committee.
     (f) Voting.
     (i) Voting by Sharing Ratios; Voting Thresholds. Except as provided otherwise in this Agreement, voting shall be according to the Members’ respective Sharing Ratios. Set forth below are definitions of the principal voting thresholds that are required to approve certain actions (such thresholds being subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.02(f)(iii)):
     (A) “Unanimous Interest” means all of the Members;
     (B) “Ultramajority Interest” means two or more Members holding among them at least 75% of the Sharing Ratios; provided, however, that any Members that are Affiliates of one another shall count as a single Member for purposes of determining whether two or more Members have approved the applicable matter;

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     (C) “Supermajority Interest” means two or more Members holding among them at least 62.5% of the Sharing Ratios; provided, however, that any Members that are Affiliates of one another shall count as a single Member for purposes of determining whether two or more Members have approved the applicable matter; and
     (D) “Majority Interest” means two or more Members holding among them at least a majority of the Sharing Ratios; provided, however, that any Members that are Affiliates of one another shall count as a single Member for purposes of determining whether two or more Members have approved the applicable matter.
Except for matters that require the approval of a Unanimous Interest, Ultramajority Interest or a Supermajority Interest pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the vote of a Majority Interest shall constitute the action of the Management Committee.
     (ii) DISCLAIMER OF DUTIES. WITH RESPECT TO ANY VOTE, CONSENT OR APPROVAL AT ANY MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OR OTHERWISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EACH MEMBER MAY GRANT OR WITHHOLD SUCH VOTE, CONSENT OR APPROVAL (A) IN ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION, (B) WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, (C) SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AS IT SHALL DEEM APPROPRIATE, AND (D) WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE INTERESTS OF, AND WITHOUT INCURRING LIABILITY TO, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER MEMBER OR REPRESENTATIVE, OR ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY (COLLECTIVELY, “SOLE DISCRETION”). THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 6.02(f)(ii) SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF A MEMBER OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE.
     (iii) Exclusion of Certain Members and Their Sharing Ratios. With respect to any vote, consent or approval, any Breaching Member or Withdrawn Member shall be excluded from such decision (as contemplated by Section 10.03(b)), and the Sharing Ratio of such Breaching Member or Withdrawn Member shall be disregarded in calculating the voting thresholds in Section 6.02(f)(i). In addition, if any other provision of this Agreement provides that a Majority Interest, Supermajority Interest, Ultramajority Interest or Unanimous Interest is to be calculated without reference to the Sharing Ratio of a particular Member, then the applicable voting threshold in Section 6.02(f)(i) shall be deemed adjusted accordingly.
     (g) Action by Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Management Committee may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the Members that could have taken the action at a meeting of the Management Committee.

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     (h) Meetings by Telephone . Members may participate in and hold such meeting by means of conference telephone, videoconference or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a Member participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
     (i) Matters Requiring Management Committee Approval. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, none of the following actions may be taken by, or on behalf of, the Company without first obtaining the vote of the Management Committee described below:
     (i) Unanimous Interest. The following actions shall require the approval of a Unanimous Interest:
     (A) dissolution of the Company pursuant to Section 12.01(a);
     (B) causing or permitting the Company to become Bankrupt (but this provision shall not be construed to require any Member to ensure the profitability or solvency of the Company);
     (C) conducting any activity or business that may generate income for federal income tax purposes that may not be “qualifying income” (as such term is defined pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code); and
     (D) any other action that, pursuant to an express provision of this Agreement, requires the approval of a Unanimous Interest.
     (ii) Ultramajority Interest. The following actions shall require the approval of an Ultramajority Interest:
     (A) the Disposition or abandonment of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
     (B) causing or permitting the Company to merge, consolidate or convert into any other entity;
     (C) considering at a meeting of the Management Committee a matter not on the agenda for that meeting;
     (D) amending or terminating the COM Agreement or restricting any delegation of authority thereunder; and
     (E) any other action that, pursuant to an express provision of this Agreement, requires the approval of an Ultramajority Interest.

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     (iii) Supermajority Interest. The following actions shall require the approval of a Supermajority Interest:
     (A) calling for loans to the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 rather than Capital Contributions pursuant to Section 4.01;
     (B) approving or amending the annual Capital Budget and Operating Budget for the Company (with it being understood that the last approved Capital Budget or Operating Budget shall be used, and deemed approved, for any subsequent period until the new Capital Budget or Operating Budget (as applicable) for that period is so approved, including the parameters within which GMOS and Officers are authorized to expend Company funds without further Management Committee approval;
     (C) selecting a different name for the Company;
     (D) providing for the basic geographic configuration, points of receipt and delivery, pipeline diameter or design capacity of the Initial Facilities to be materially different from that set forth in the form of the FERC Application for the Initial Facilities;
     (E) approving any lease of capacity on the Facilities;
     (F) approving accounting procedures for the Company; and
     (G) any other action that, pursuant to an express provision of this Agreement, requires the approval of a Supermajority Interest.
     (iv) Majority Interest. A Majority Interest shall be required to approve (A) the amount of Available Cash with respect to each Quarter and (B) any other action that, pursuant to an express provision of this Agreement, (1) requires the approval of a Majority Interest or (2) requires the approval of the Management Committee but does not expressly require the approval of a Unanimous Interest, an Ultramajority Interest, or a Supermajority Interest.
     (j) Subcommittees. The Management Committee may create such subcommittees, and delegate to such subcommittees such authority and responsibility, and rescind any such delegations, as it may deem appropriate.
     (k) Officers. The Management Committee may designate one or more Persons to be Officers of the Company. Any Officers so designated shall have such titles and, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, have such authority and perform such duties as the Management Committee may delegate to them and shall serve at the pleasure of the Management Committee and report to the Management Committee.

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     6.03 Construction, Operation and Management Agreement
     (a) Subject to approval by the Management Committee, the Company shall enter into a Construction, Operation, and Management Agreement with GMOS or an Affiliate thereof (the “COM Agreement" ), which will set forth (a) the services to be provided to the Company, (b) provisions for the payment to GMOS of its Reimbursable Costs and any other payments approved by the Management Committee, (c) the circumstances under which the COM Agreement may be terminated by the Company or by GMOS, (d) the audit rights of the Company with respect to GMOS, (e) the indemnification of GMOS by the Company, and (f) any other provisions that are consistent with the provisions of this Agreement and approved by the Management Committee. It is anticipated that the COM Agreement contemplated by this Section 6.03(a) with GMOS will be executed by each Member and GMOS concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.
     (b) The COM Agreement entered into by the Company with GMOS shall not be amended nor shall the Company’s right to terminate the COM Agreement be exercised without first obtaining the consent of an Ultramajority Interest.
     6.04 Conflicts of Interest . (a) Notwithstanding Section 6.04(b), the Members and their Affiliates shall be prohibited from competing with the Company in the following circumstances:
     (i) Until the end of the Term, the Members and their Affiliates may only develop, construct, own, acquire and operate the Facilities through the Company or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.
     (ii) Until the end of the Term, except as provided in Sections 7.02(i) and 7.03(f), the Members and their Affiliates may only develop, construct, own, acquire and operate Construction Capital Opportunities and Acquisition Capital Opportunities through the Company or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.
The provisions of this Section 6.04(a) shall continue to bind a Withdrawn Member and its Affiliates until the third anniversary of such Withdrawal, but not thereafter. The Members agree that the provisions of this Section 6.04(a) are necessary (I) to further the purposes, business and activities of the Company, and (II) to protect confidential and proprietary information regarding the Company, to which the Members will have access pursuant to this Agreement. The Members agree that no adequate remedy at law exists for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section 6.04(a), the continuation of which unremedied will cause the Company and the other Members to suffer irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Members agree that the Company and the other Members shall be entitled, in addition to other remedies that may be available to them, to immediate injunctive relief from any breach of any of the provisions of this Section 6.04(a) and to specific performance of their rights hereunder, as well as to any other remedies available at law or in equity, pursuant to Section 11.04.
     (b) Subject to Sections 6.04(a), 7.02 and 7.03, a Member or an Affiliate of a Member may engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of any and every type and description, independently or with others, including ones in competition with the Company, with no obligation to offer to the Company, any other Member or any Affiliate of another Member the right to participate therein. Subject to Sections 6.04(a), 7.02 and 7.03, the Company may transact business with any

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Member or Affiliate thereof, provided the terms of those transactions are approved by the Management Committee or expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the COM Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Members recognize and agree that their respective Affiliates currently engage in certain activities involving natural gas and electricity marketing and trading (including futures, options, swaps, exchanges of future positions for physical deliveries and commodity trading), gathering, processing, storage, transportation and distribution, electric generation, development and ownership, as well as other commercial activities related to natural gas and that these and other activities by Members’ Affiliates may be based on natural gas that is shipped through the Facilities or otherwise made possible or more profitable by reason of the Company’s activities (herein referred to as “Affiliate’s Outside Activities”) . Subject to Sections 6.04(a), 7.02 and 7.03, (i) no Affiliate of a Member shall be restricted in its right to conduct, individually or jointly with others, for its own account any Affiliate’s Outside Activities, and (ii) no Member or its Affiliates shall have any duty or obligation, express or implied, fiduciary or otherwise, to account to, or to share the results or profits of such Affiliate’s Outside Activities with, the Company, any other Member or any Affiliate of any other Member, by reason of such Affiliate’s Outside Activities. The provisions of this Section 6.04(b) constitute an agreement to modify or eliminate fiduciary duties pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-1101 of the Act.
     (c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if the Company and a Member or an Affiliate thereof propose to enter into or amend a contract or arrangement with each other (a “ Contract Decision ”) or if a dispute arises between the Company and an Affiliate of a Member under a Gas Transportation Service Agreement or any other contract or arrangement, (i) such Member shall not participate in (by its Representative’s vote on the Management Committee or otherwise) the Contract Decision or the decisions of the Company with respect to such dispute and (ii) the determination of whether a Unanimous Interest, Supermajority Interest, Ultramajority Interest or Majority Interest has been obtained concerning any matter relating to such Contract Decision or dispute shall be calculated without reference to such Member; provided however, if at the time there are only two Members of the Management Committee that are not Affiliates of one another, any such Contract Decision that is not resolved by discussion among the Management Committee, and any such dispute, shall be resolved in accordance with Article 11.
     6.05 Indemnification for Breach of Agreement . Each Member shall indemnify, protect, defend, release and hold harmless each other Member, its Representative, its Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, trustees, employees and agents from and against any Claims asserted by or on behalf of any Person (including another Member) that result from a breach by the indemnifying Member of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6.05 shall not (a) apply to any Claim or other matter for which a Member (or its Representative) has no liability or duty, or is indemnified or released, pursuant to Section 6.02(a)(iii), 6.02(f)(ii) or 6.04 or pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreements or (b) hold the indemnified Person harmless from special, consequential or exemplary damages, except in the case where the indemnified Person is legally obligated to pay such damages to another Person.

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ARTICLE 7
DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES
     7.01 Development of Initial Facilities .
          (a) Approval of FERC Certificate for Initial Facilities . No later than 10 Days prior to the FERC Response Date, the Management Committee shall vote on whether the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities is issued on terms and conditions which are not materially different from those requested in the FERC Application for the Initial Facilities and whether the Company shall (i) accept the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities without seeking rehearing, (ii) accept such FERC Certificate and seek rehearing of the order issuing the FERC Certificate, or (iii) reject such FERC Certificate. The Management Committee shall be deemed to have approved the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities if the Management Committee by a Ultramajority Interest determines that such certificate is issued on terms and conditions which are not materially different from those requested in the FERC Application for the Initial Facilities. In such event, the Management Committee shall accept the FERC Certificate prior to the Response Date with or without seeking rehearing of the order issuing the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities. In such event each Member shall be firmly committed to the construction of the Initial Facilities and the construction of the Initial Facilities shall not be subject to any conditions precedent, including but not limited to Management Committee approval of any financial commitment for obtaining funds to finance the Initial Facilities or a Management Committee Approval to construct the Initial Facilities.
     (A) If the Management Committee by a vote of an Ultramajority Interest finds that the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities is issued on terms and conditions which are materially different from those requested in the FERC Application for the Initial Certificate and all the Members vote to accept the order issuing the FERC Certificates with or without seeking rehearing, then the Management Committee shall accept the FERC Certificate prior to the Response Dates and in such event each Member shall be firmly committed to the construction of the Initial Facilities and the construction of the Initial Facilities shall not be subject to any conditions precedent as provided in Section 7.01(a).
     (B) If the Management Committee by a vote of an Ultramajority Interest finds that the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities is issued on terms and conditions which are materially different from those requested in the FERC Application for the Initial Facilities and one or more of the Members vote to accept the order issuing the FERC Certificate with or without seeking rehearing and one or more of the Members vote to reject the order issuing the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities with or without seeking rehearing (or did not vote), then the Members that voted to accept such FERC Certificate shall be free to proceed with the construction of the Initial Facilities under this agreement, such vote being deemed the requisite vote of the Management Committee, and the Members that voted to reject such FERC Certificate shall be deemed to have Withdrawn from the Company. Those Members that elect to proceed with the construction of the Initial Facilities shall be firmly committed to the construction of the Initial Facilities and the construction of the Initial Facilities shall not be subject to any conditions precedent as provided in Section 7.01(a). In the event no Member votes to accept the order

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issuing the FERC Certificate for the Initial Facilities, then such vote shall be a Dissolution Event and the Company shall dissolve and its offices shall be wound up pursuant to Article 12.
     7.02 Construction Capital Opportunities. The following provisions shall constitute the exclusive procedure by which Construction Capital Opportunities may be approved and constructed by the Company, a Member or an Affiliate of a Member:
     (a) Proposal. Subject to Section 7.02(i), any one or more Members that become aware of a Construction Capital Opportunity may submit it to the Company by notifying the other Members of the nature of the proposed Construction Capital Opportunity, including such details as are then available, and providing a detailed explanation of the reasons why such Construction Capital Opportunity is being requested.
     (b) Feasibility Study. As soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 60 Days after the giving of the notice described in Section 7.02(a), the Management Committee shall vote on whether to authorize a feasibility study for the Construction Capital Opportunity. Upon the vote of the Management Committee to authorize such a study, GMOS shall prepare and deliver to each Member the findings of such feasibility study, which shall include a detailed description of the Construction Capital Opportunity and the Estimated Cost thereof, appropriate rate information and the proposed financing therefor.
     (c) Development Vote. Within 60 Days after the study described in Section 7.02(b) has been received by each Member, the Management Committee shall vote on whether to proceed with the development of the proposed Construction Capital Opportunity as set forth in such study. Upon the vote of the Management Committee to proceed with the development of the proposed Construction Capital Opportunity, the Company shall proceed with such development, including the acquisition of Necessary Regulatory Approvals and the Financing Commitment. A vote to proceed with the development of a Construction Capital Opportunity shall be without prejudice to any subsequent votes with respect to such Construction Capital Opportunity.
     (d) Conditions to Construction. Except with the approval of a Supermajority Interest, the Company shall not incur any material costs or obligations with respect to the Construction Capital Opportunity or be obligated under any Financing Commitment relating to the Construction Capital Opportunity until (i) the Necessary Regulatory Approvals for the Construction Capital Opportunity have been obtained, (ii) any Financing Commitment for the Construction Capital Opportunity has been negotiated and is ready for acceptance by the Company (with the Management Committee to decide whether such Financing Commitment utilizes a Financing Entity), (iii) all conditions precedent (other than any conditions requiring that the Members approve construction of the Construction Capital Opportunity or requiring the Construction Capital Opportunity to be constructed) under any precedent agreements with respect to any applicable Gas Transportation Service Agreements for the Construction Capital Opportunity have been satisfied, (iv) the Estimated Cost of the Construction Capital Opportunity has been determined by GMOS, based on bids from two or more general contractors, and (v) the Management Committee has approved the commitment to construct the Construction Capital Opportunity as provided in Section 7.02(e).

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     (e) Construction Vote. Immediately following the last to occur of the events referred to in Section 7.02(d)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), the Management Committee shall vote on whether the Company shall be committed to construct the Construction Capital Opportunity (which commitment to construct shall (i) constitute an acceptance of any Financing Commitment for the Construction Capital Opportunity, and (ii) be accompanied by the selection of contractors on the basis of cost and qualification).
     (f) Financing Commitment. After the Financing Commitment relating to the Construction Capital Opportunity has been approved (as part of an Affirmative Construction Vote), the Company shall not incur any material costs or obligations with respect to the Construction Capital Opportunity until all conditions precedent to the obtaining by the Company of funds pursuant to the applicable Financing Commitment relating to the Construction Capital Opportunity have been satisfied, except with approval by the Management Committee (through a Supermajority Interest). If a Supermajority Interest decides that there will not be a Financing Commitment for a Construction Capital Opportunity, this Section 7.02(f) shall not apply with respect to that Construction Capital Opportunity.
     (g) Construction of Construction Capital Opportunity. Unless a construction agreement has been theretofore executed pursuant to the approval of a Supermajority Interest, after an Affirmative Construction Vote for the Construction Capital Opportunity, (i) GMOS shall negotiate a construction agreement (in consultation with the Management Committee to the extent requested by the Management Committee) with the contractors selected by the Management Committee and submit the agreements to the Management Committee for its approval; (ii) upon such approval, the Company shall enter into the construction agreements with the contractors; and (iii) GMOS shall oversee the performance under the construction contracts, coordinate with the contractors in connection with the construction, administer the construction contracts and regularly report to the Management Committee on the progress of the construction. GMOS shall not amend in any material respect or terminate the construction agreements, relinquish any material rights thereunder, or institute litigation or arbitration against the contractors, except with the approval of the Management Committee.
     (h) Dilution . If (i) an Affirmative Construction Vote pursuant to Section 7.02(e) is not unanimous, and (ii) one or more Members, that voted in the negative in connection with said Affirmative Construction Vote pursuant to Section 7.02(e), elect in writing within 10 Days after such vote to be diluted, then (A) any such electing Member shall not be required to make any Capital Contribution to the Company pursuant to Section 4.01 in connection with the construction of the Construction Capital Opportunity in question, and (B) each such electing Member’s Sharing Ratio shall, upon the contribution by the other Members of the Capital Contribution required in connection with the construction of the Construction Capital Opportunity in question, be reduced by multiplying it by a fraction, (I) the numerator of which is the aggregate positive balances in the Members’ Capital Accounts, with such balances being determined immediately following their adjustment pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of Section 4.05(a), and (II) the denominator of which is the sum of (aa) such numerator and (bb) the total of all Capital Contributions that the Management Committee then estimates will be required of all Members in connection with the Construction Capital Opportunity in question, based upon the Estimated Cost of

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such Construction Capital Opportunity and all other factors deemed relevant by the Management Committee (with the Sharing Ratios of the other Members being proportionately increased). As soon as the actual amount of such Capital Contributions has been determined by the Management Committee, such Member’s Sharing Ratio shall be readjusted, using the method described in Section 7.02(h)(B), but using such actual amount of such Capital Contributions instead of such estimate.
     (i) Pursuit Outside of Company . One or more Members or its Affiliates may pursue a Construction Capital Opportunity (other than looping of or compression on the Facilities and other than the modification of capacity on the Facilities by the changing of the pipe size of any part of the Facilities) for their own account, rather than through the Company (and the Company and other Members shall have no interest therein), if such Member or its Affiliates elect in their Sole Discretion to pursue such Construction Capital Opportunity for their own account.
     7.03 Acquisition Capital Opportunities. The following provisions shall constitute the exclusive procedure by which Acquisition Capital Opportunities may be approved and acquired by the Company, a Member or an Affiliate of a Member:
     (a) Proposal. Subject to Section 7.03(f), any one or more Members that become aware of an Acquisition Capital Opportunity may submit it to the Company by notifying the other Members of the nature of the proposed Acquisition Capital Opportunity, including such details as are then available, and providing a detailed explanation of the reasons why such Acquisition Capital Opportunity is being requested, together with the Estimated Cost of the Acquisition Capital Opportunity.
     (b) Negotiation Vote. As soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 20 Days after the giving of the notice described in Section 7.03(a), the Management Committee shall vote on whether to authorize a negotiating team specified by the Management Committee to negotiate with the proposed seller a form of purchase and sale agreement, based upon such instructions as the Management Committee shall set forth.
     (c) Acquisition Vote. If the negotiating team is able to negotiate a form of purchase and sale agreement that is acceptable to the seller, the Management Committee shall vote on whether the Company shall enter into such purchase and sale agreement. If such agreement is executed, the terms thereof shall govern the rights and obligations of the Company. Any such affirmative vote is herein called the “ Affirmative Acquisition Vote ”, provided that, if such purchase and sale agreement is terminated without a closing occurring thereunder, it shall be deemed for the purposes of the other provisions of this Agreement that no Affirmative Acquisition Vote occurred.
     (d) Other Details. All details related to the Acquisition Capital Opportunity that are not set forth in this Section 7.03 (including whether any Financing Commitment (and the terms thereof) is to be entered into in connection therewith) shall be determined by the Management Committee.
     (e) Dilution . If (i) an Affirmative Acquisition Vote pursuant to Section 7.03(c) is not unanimous, and (ii) one or more Members that voted in the negative in connection with

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said Affirmative Acquisition Vote pursuant to Section 7.03(c), elect in writing within 10 Days after such vote to be diluted, then (A) any such electing Member shall not be required to make any Capital Contribution to the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 in connection with the acquisition of the Acquisition Capital Opportunity in question, and (B) each such electing Member’s Sharing Ratio shall, upon the contribution by the other Members of the Capital Contribution required in connection with the acquisition of the Acquisition Capital Opportunity in question, be reduced by multiplying it by a fraction, (I) the numerator of which is the aggregate positive balances in the Members’ Capital Accounts, with such balances being determined immediately following their adjustment pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of Section 4.05(a), and (II) the denominator of which is the sum of (aa) such numerator and (bb) the total of all Capital Contributions that the Management Committee then estimates will be required of all Members in connection with the Acquisition Capital Opportunity in question, based upon the Estimated Cost of such Acquisition Capital Opportunity and all other factors deemed relevant by the Management Committee (with the Sharing Ratios of the other Members being proportionately increased). As soon as the actual amount of such Capital Contributions has been determined by the Management Committee, such Member’s Sharing Ratio shall be readjusted, using the method described in Section 7.03(e)(B), but using such actual amount of such Capital Contributions instead of such estimate.
     (f) Pursuit Outside of Company . One or more Members or its Affiliates may pursue an Acquisition Capital Opportunity (other than looping of or compression on the Facilities and other than the modification of capacity on the Facilities by the changing of the pipe size of any part of the Facilities) for their own account, rather than through the Company (and the Company and other Members shall have no interest therein), if such Member or its Affiliates elect in their Sole Discretion to pursue such Acquisition Capital Opportunity for their own account.
     7.04 General Regulatory Matters.
     (a) The Members acknowledge that the Company will be a “natural gas company” as defined in Section 2.(6) of the NGA.
     (b) Each Member shall (i) cooperate fully with the Company, the Management Committee and GMOS in securing the Necessary Regulatory Approvals, including supporting all FERC Applications, and in connection with any reports prescribed by the FERC and any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company; (ii) join in any eminent domain takings by the Company, to the extent, if any, required by Law; and (iii) devote such efforts as shall be reasonable and necessary to develop and promote the Facilities for the benefit of the Company, taking into account such Member’s Sharing Ratio, resources and expertise.
ARTICLE 8
TAXES
     8.01 Tax Returns . GMOS shall prepare and timely file (on behalf of the Company) all federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed by the Company. Each Member shall furnish to GMOS all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Company’s operations that is

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necessary to enable the Company’s tax returns to be timely prepared and filed. The Company shall bear the costs of the preparation and filing of its returns.
     8.02 Tax Elections . The Company shall make the following elections on the appropriate tax returns:
     (a) to adopt as the Company’s fiscal year the calendar year;
     (b) to adopt the accrual method of accounting;
     (c) if a distribution of the Company’s property as described in Code Section 734 occurs or upon a transfer of Membership Interest as described in Code Section 743 occurs, on request by notice from any Member, to elect, pursuant to Code Section 754, to adjust the basis of the Company’s properties;
     (d) to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company ratably over a period of 60 months as permitted by Section 709(b) of the Code; and
     (e) any other election the Management Committee may deem appropriate.
Neither the Company nor any Member shall make an election for the Company to be excluded from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code or any similar provisions of applicable state law and no provision of this Agreement shall be construed to sanction or approve such an election.
     8.03 Tax Matters Member . (a) The Management Committee shall designate a Member to serve as the “tax matters partner” of the Company pursuant to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the “Tax Matters Member” ). The Tax Matters Member shall take such action as may be necessary to cause to the extent possible each other Member to become a “notice partner” within the meaning of Section 6223 of the Code. The Tax Matters Member shall inform each other Member of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as Tax Matters Member by giving notice thereof on or before the fifth Business Day after becoming aware thereof and, within that time, shall forward to each other Member copies of all significant written communications it may receive in that capacity.
     (b) The Tax Matters Member shall provide any Member, upon request, access to accounting and tax information and schedules as shall be necessary for the preparation by such Member of its income tax returns and such Member’s tax information reporting requirements.
     (c) The Tax Matters Member shall take no action without the authorization of the Management Committee, other than such action as may be required by Law. Any cost or expense incurred by the Tax Matters Member in connection with its duties, including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative or judicial proceedings, shall be paid by the Company.
     (d) The Tax Matters Member shall not enter into any extension of the period of limitations for making assessments on behalf of the Members without first obtaining the consent of the Management Committee. The Tax Matters Member shall not bind any Member to a settlement agreement without obtaining the consent of such Member. Any Member that enters into a settlement

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agreement with respect to any Company item (as described in Code Section 6231(a)(3)) shall notify the other Members of such settlement agreement and its terms within 90 Days from the date of the settlement.
     (e) No Member shall file a request pursuant to Code Section 6227 for an administrative adjustment of Company items for any taxable year without first notifying the other Members. If the Management Committee consents to the requested adjustment, the Tax Matters Member shall file the request for the administrative adjustment on behalf of the Members. If such consent is not obtained within 30 Days from such notice, or within the period required to timely file the request for administrative adjustment, if shorter, any Member, including the Tax Matters Member, may file a request for administrative adjustment on its own behalf. Any Member intending to file a petition under Code Sections 6226, 6228 or other Code Section with respect to any item involving the Company shall notify the other Members of such intention and the nature of the contemplated proceeding. In the case where the Tax Matters Member is the Member intending to file such petition on behalf of the Company, such notice shall be given within a reasonable period of time to allow the other Members to participate in the choosing of the forum in which such petition will be filed.
     (f) If any Member intends to file a notice of inconsistent treatment under Code Section 6222(b), such Member shall give reasonable notice under the circumstances to the other Members of such intent and the manner in which the Member’s intended treatment of an item is (or may be) inconsistent with the treatment of that item by the other Members.
ARTICLE 9
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
     9.01 Maintenance of Books . (a) GMOS shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Company or at such other location approved by the Management Committee complete and accurate books and records of the Company, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Members any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 9.02, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business and minutes of the proceedings of its Members and the Management Committee, and any other books and records that are required to be maintained by applicable Law.
     (b) The books of account of the Company shall be (i) maintained on the basis of a fiscal year that is the calendar year, (ii) maintained on an accrual basis in accordance with Required Accounting Practices, and (iii) unless the Management Committee decides otherwise, audited by the Certified Public Accountants at the end of each calendar year.
     9.02 Reports . (a) With respect to each calendar year, GMOS shall prepare and deliver to each Member:
(i) Within 90 Days after the end of such calendar year, a statement of operations and a statement of cash flows for such year, a balance sheet and a statement of each Member’s Capital Account as of the end of such year, and an audited report thereon of the Certified Public Accountants; provided, however, upon the written request of one or more Members at least 60 Days prior to the applicable calendar year end, which request shall be a standing request effective for subsequent calendar years unless and until revoked by the requesting Member, GMOS shall prepare and deliver

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to the requesting Member(s) within 30 Days after the end of each such calendar year the foregoing information except for the audited report, which GMOS shall prepare and deliver to the requesting Member(s) within 50 Days after the end of each such calendar year.
(ii) Within 75 Days after the end of such calendar year, such federal, state and local income tax returns and such other accounting and tax information and schedules as shall be necessary for tax reporting purposes by each Member with respect to such year; provided, however, upon the written request of one or more Members at least 60 Days prior to the applicable calendar year end, which request shall be a standing request effective for subsequent calendar years unless and until revoked by the requesting Member, GMOS shall prepare and deliver to the requesting Member(s) the foregoing returns, information and schedules within 30 Days after the end of each such calendar year.
     (b) Upon the written request of one or more Members at least 60 Days prior to the applicable calendar year end, which request shall be a standing request effective for subsequent calendar years unless and until revoked by the requesting Member, GMOS shall prepare and deliver to the requesting Member(s) the following information within 30 Days after the end of such calendar year:
     (i) A discussion and analysis of the results of operations including detailed explanations of significant variances in revenues, expenses and cash flow activities appearing in the audited financial statements, as compared to the same periods in the prior calendar year, and relevant operational statistics, including volumetric data;
     (ii) A schedule of amounts due by year for contractual obligations that will impact Available Cash including, but not limited to, notes payable, capital leases, operating leases, and purchase obligations; and
     (iii) A three-year forward-looking forecast that includes a balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and a statement of cash flows. Such forecast shall include information pertaining to the underlying assumptions used in its preparation including, but not limited to, volumetric, revenue per-unit and capital expenditure assumptions. Such forecast also shall be updated within 45 Days after execution by the Company of a material Gas Transportation Service Agreement if the timing and amount of revenues or expenses resulting from such agreement are materially different than estimates included in the forward-looking forecast.
The reasonable incremental cost to GMOS of preparing the above reports shall be reimbursed to GMOS by the Member requesting such reports and, in the case of two or more Members requesting such reports, equally by such Members. Such cost shall be determined in accordance with Article III of the Accounting Procedure set forth in Exhibit A to the applicable Services Agreement.
     (c) Within 25 Days after the end of each calendar month, GMOS shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each Member with an appropriate certification of the Person authorized to

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prepare the same (provided that the Management Committee may change the financial statements required by this Section 9.02(c) to a quarterly basis or may make such other change therein as it may deem appropriate):
     (i) A statement of operations for such month (including sufficient information to permit the Members to calculate their tax accruals) and for the portion of the calendar year then ended as compared with the same periods for the prior calendar year and with the budgeted results for the current periods; and
     (ii) A balance sheet and a statement of each Member’s Capital Account as of the end of such month and the portion of the calendar year then ended.
     (d) Upon the written request of one or more Members at least 60 Days prior to the applicable calendar quarter end, which request shall be a standing request effective for subsequent calendar quarters unless and until revoked by the requesting Member, within 25 Days after the end of each of the first three calendar quarters of each year, GMOS shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each Member (i) a statement of operations for such quarter and year-to-date, a statement of cash flows and a statement of each Member’s Capital Account for the year-to-date period, and a balance sheet as of the end of such quarter, (ii) a discussion and analysis of the results of operations including detailed explanations of significant variances in revenues, expenses and cash flow activities appearing in the financial statements (as formally reviewed by the Certified Public Accountants), as compared to the same periods in the prior calendar year, and relevant operational statistics, including volumetric data, and (iii) within 40 Days after the end of such quarter, a formal review report thereon of the Certified Public Accountants.
     (e) In addition to its obligations under subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 9.02, GMOS shall timely prepare and deliver to any Member, upon request, all of such additional financial statements, notes thereto and additional financial information as may be required in order for each Member or an Affiliate of such Member to comply with any reporting requirements under (i) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (iii) any national securities exchange or automated quotation system. The reasonable incremental cost to GMOS of preparing and delivering such additional financial statements, notes thereto and additional financial information, including any required incremental audit fees and expenses, shall be reimbursed to GMOS by the Member requesting such reports and, in the case of two or more Members requesting such additional information, equally by such Members. Such cost shall be determined in accordance with Article III of the Accounting Procedure set forth in Exhibit A to the applicable Services Agreement.
     (f) GMOS shall also cause to be prepared and delivered to each Member such other reports, forecasts, studies, budgets and other information as the Management Committee may request from time to time.
     (g) For purposes of clarification and not limitation, any audit or examination by a Member pursuant to Section 3.5 of the COM Agreement may, at the option of such Member, include audit or examination of the books, records and other support for the costs incurred pursuant to subsections (b) and (e) of this Section 9.02.

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     9.03 Bank Accounts . Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as shall be designated from time to time by the Management Committee. All withdrawals from any such depository shall be made only as authorized by the Management Committee and shall be made only by check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.
ARTICLE 10
WITHDRAWAL
     10.01 No Right of Withdrawal . A Member has no power or right to voluntarily Withdraw from the Company.
     10.02 Deemed Withdrawal . A Member is deemed to have Withdrawn from the Company upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
     (a) the Member is deemed, pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(B) to have Withdrawn from the Company;
     (b) there occurs an event that (i) makes it unlawful for the Member to continue to be a Member or (ii) causes the Member’s continued membership in the Company to subject the Company, any other Member, or any “affiliate” (as defined in PUHCA) of any other Member to regulation under PUHCA, unless all other Members, in their Sole Discretion, unanimously determine such regulation not to be burdensome and so inform the Member subjected to such event in writing within three Business Days following such event;
     (c) the Member becomes Bankrupt;
     (d) the Member dissolves and commences liquidation or winding-up; or
     (e) the Member commits a Default.
In the case of an event described in Section 10.02(b)(ii), if the regulation under PUHCA referred to in said Section can be avoided by the Disposition by the affected Member of all or a portion of its Membership Interest to another Person and the affected Member desires to effect such a Disposition, then the affected Member shall have the option (but not the obligation) to avoid such deemed Withdrawal by giving, within five Business Days after the three Business Day period referred to above, the Disposition Notice referred to in Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A) with respect to such Disposition, and if the other Members do not exercise their Preferential Right in accordance therewith, the affected Member must consummate the Disposition to such other Person within seven Business Days after such Preferential Right is waived or deemed to be waived under the provisions of Section 3.03(b)(ii)(A) (or, if later, within five Business Days after the receipt of all applicable Authorizations to the Disposition).
     10.03 Effect of Withdrawal . A Member that is deemed to have Withdrawn pursuant to Section 10.02 (a “Withdrawn Member” ), must comply with the following requirements in connection with its Withdrawal:

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     (a) The Withdrawn Member ceases to be a Member immediately upon the occurrence of the applicable Withdrawal event.
     (b) The Withdrawn Member shall not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Company except as set forth in Section 10.03(e), and neither it nor its Representative shall be entitled to exercise any voting or consent rights, or to appoint any Representative or Alternative Representative to the Management Committee (and the Representative (and the Alternative Representative) appointed by such Member shall be deemed to have resigned) or to receive any further information (or access to information) from the Company. The Sharing Ratio of such Member shall not be taken into account in calculating the Sharing Ratios of the Members for any purposes. This Section 10.03(b) shall also apply to a Breaching Member; but if a Breaching Member cures its breach during the applicable cure period, then any distributions that were withheld from such Member shall be paid to it, without interest.
     (c) The Withdrawn Member must pay to the Company all amounts owed to it by such Withdrawn Member.
     (d) The Withdrawn Member shall remain obligated for all liabilities it may have under this Agreement or otherwise with respect to the Company that accrue prior to the Withdrawal.
     (e) In the event of a deemed Withdrawal under Section 10.02(b) or (c), the Withdrawn Member shall be entitled to receive a portion of each distribution that is made by the Company from and after the In-Service Date, equal to the product of the Withdrawn Member’s Sharing Ratio as of the date of its Withdrawal times the aggregate amount of such distribution; provided, however, that the Withdrawn Member’s rights under this Section 10.03(e) shall automatically terminate at such time as the Withdrawn Member has received an aggregate amount under this Section 10.03(e) equal to the sum of (i) the positive balance in the Withdrawn Member’s Capital Account, determined as of the date of the Withdrawal after adjustment pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of Section 4.05(a), plus (ii) any Indebtedness of the Company owed to such Member at the time of the Withdrawal. From the date of the Withdrawal to the date of such payment, the former Capital Account balance of the Withdrawn Member shall be recorded as a contingent obligation of the Company, and not as a Capital Account, until such payment is made. The rights of a Withdrawn Member under this Section 10.03(e) shall (A) be subordinate to the rights of any other creditor of the Company, (B) not include any right on the part of the Withdrawn Member to receive any interest (except as may otherwise be provided in the evidence of any Indebtedness of the Company owed to such Withdrawn Member) or other amounts with respect thereto; (C) not require the Company to make any distribution (the Withdrawing Member’s rights under this Section 10.03(e) being limiting to receiving a portion of such distributions as the Management Committee may, in its Sole Discretion, decide to cause the Company to make); (D) not require any Member to make a Capital Contribution or a loan to permit the Company to make a distribution or otherwise to pay the Withdrawing Member; and (E) be treated as a liability of the Company for purposes of Section 12.02. Except as set forth in this Section 10.03(e), a Withdrawn Member shall not be entitled to receive any return of its Capital Contributions or other payment from the Company in respect of its Membership Interest.

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     (f) The Sharing Ratio of the Withdrawn Member shall be allocated among the remaining Members in the proportion that each Member’s Sharing Ratio bears to the total Sharing Ratio of all remaining Members, or in such other proportion as the Members may unanimously agree.
     (g) A deemed Withdrawal under Section 7.01(a)(B) shall carry no connotation or implication that the Withdrawn Member has breached this Agreement or otherwise acted contrary to the intent of this Agreement, it being understood that (i) each Member is completely free to cast its vote as it wishes at the Management Committee meetings described in such Sections and (ii) the concept of “deemed Withdrawal” in such Sections is merely a convenient technique for permitting the continued development of the Initial Facilities by the Members that desire to continue such development.
ARTICLE 11
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
     11.01 Disputes . This Article 11 shall apply to any dispute arising under or related to this Agreement (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, and whether arising at law or in equity), including (a) any dispute regarding the construction, interpretation, performance, validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement or whether any Person is in compliance with, or breach of, any provisions of this Agreement, and (b) the applicability of this Article 11 to a particular dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article 11 shall not apply to any matters that, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, are to be resolved by a vote of the Members (including through the Management Committee); provided, however, that (i) if there is a failure to obtain an Ultramajority Interest or a Supermajority Interest (as applicable) with respect to any matter within the scope of Section 6.02(i)(ii)(C) or 6.02(i)(iii)(B), the action to be taken by the Company with respect to such matters can be determined pursuant to this Article 11, (ii) any matter that is expressly stated herein to be determinable by arbitration may be so determined pursuant to this Article 11 and (iii) if a vote, approval, consent, determination or other decision must, under the terms of this Agreement, be made (or withheld) in accordance with a standard other than Sole Discretion (such as a reasonableness standard), then the issue of whether such standard has been satisfied may be a dispute to which this Article 11 applies. Any dispute to which this Article 11 applies is referred to herein as a “Dispute.” With respect to a particular Dispute, each Member that is a party to such Dispute is referred to herein as a “Disputing Member.” The provisions of this Article 11 shall be the exclusive method of resolving Disputes.
     11.02 Negotiation to Resolve Disputes . If a Dispute arises, the Disputing Members shall attempt to resolve such Dispute through the following procedure:
     (a) first, the Representative of each of the Disputing Members shall promptly meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith attempt to resolve the Dispute;
     (b) second, if the Dispute is still unresolved after 20 Days following the commencement of the negotiations described in Section 11.02(a), then the chief executive officer (or his designee) of the Parent of each Disputing Member shall meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith attempt to resolve the Dispute; and

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     (c) third, if the Dispute is still unresolved after 10 Days following the commencement of the negotiations described in Section 11.02(b), then any Disputing Party may submit such Dispute to binding arbitration under this Article 11 by notifying the other Disputing Members (an “Arbitration Notice” ).
     11.03 Selection of Arbitrator . (a) Any arbitration conducted under this Article 11 shall be heard by a sole arbitrator (the “Arbitrator” ) selected in accordance with this Section 11.03. Each Disputing Member and each proposed Arbitrator shall disclose to the other Disputing Members any business, personal or other relationship or Affiliation that may exist between such Disputing Member and such proposed Arbitrator, and any Disputing Member may disapprove of such proposed Arbitrator on the basis of such relationship or Affiliation.
     (b) The Disputing Member that submits a Dispute to arbitration shall designate a proposed Arbitrator in its Arbitration Notice. If any other Disputing Member objects to such proposed Arbitrator, it may, on or before the tenth Day following delivery of the Arbitration Notice, notify all of the other Disputing Members of such objection. All of the Disputing Members shall attempt to agree upon a mutually-acceptable Arbitrator. If they are unable to do so within 20 Days following delivery of the notice described in the immediately-preceding sentence, any Disputing Member may request the American Arbitration Association (or, if such Association has ceased to exist, the principal successor thereto) (the “AAA” ) to designate the Arbitrator. If the Arbitrator so chosen shall die, resign or otherwise fail or becomes unable to serve as Arbitrator, a replacement Arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Section 11.03.
     11.04 Conduct of Arbitration . The Arbitrator shall expeditiously (and, if possible, within 90 Days after the Arbitrator’s selection) hear and decide all matters concerning the Dispute. Any arbitration hearing shall be held in the City of Houston, Texas. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the then-current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA (excluding rules governing the payment of arbitration, administrative or other fees or expenses to the Arbitrator or the AAA), to the extent that such Rules do not conflict with the terms of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power (a) to gather such materials, information, testimony and evidence as it deems relevant to the dispute before it (and each Member will provide such materials, information, testimony and evidence requested by the Arbitrator, except to the extent any information so requested is proprietary, subject to a third-party confidentiality restriction or to an attorney-client or other privilege) and (b) to grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance. If it deems necessary, the Arbitrator may propose to the Disputing Members that one or more other experts be retained to assist it in resolving the Dispute. The retention of such other experts shall require the unanimous consent of the Disputing Members, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Each Disputing Member, the Arbitrator and any proposed expert shall disclose to the other Disputing Members any business, personal or other relationship or Affiliation that may exist between such Disputing Member (or the Arbitrator) and such proposed expert; and any Disputing Member may disapprove of such proposed expert on the basis of such relationship or Affiliation. The decision of the Arbitrator (which shall be rendered in writing) shall be final, nonappealable and binding upon the Disputing Members and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction; provided that the Members agree that the Arbitrator and any court enforcing the award of the Arbitrator shall not have the right or authority to award punitive, special, consequential or exemplary damages to any Disputing Member. The responsibility for paying the costs and expenses of the arbitration, including compensation to the Arbitrator and any experts retained by the Arbitrator, shall be allocated among the Disputing Members in a manner determined

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by the Arbitrator to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances. Each Disputing Member shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of its respective counsel, consultants and witnesses, unless the Arbitrator determines that compelling reasons exist for allocating all or a portion of such costs and expenses to one or more other Disputing Members.
ARTICLE 12
DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION
     12.01 Dissolution . The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events (each a “Dissolution Event” ):
     (a) the unanimous consent of the Management Committee to dissolve the Company;
     (b) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act;
     (c) the Disposition or abandonment of all or substantially all of the Company’s business and assets; or
     (d) an event that makes it unlawful for the business of the Company to be carried on.
     12.02 Winding-Up and Termination . (a) On the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Management Committee shall designate a Member or other Person to serve as liquidator. The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of winding-up shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidator shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Members. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:
     (i) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding-up, the liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and operations through the last calendar day of the month in which the dissolution occurs or the final winding-up is completed, as applicable;
     (ii) the liquidator shall discharge from Company funds all of the Indebtedness of the Company and other debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in winding-up and any loans described in Section 4.02) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine); and
     (iii) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members as follows:

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     (A) the liquidator may sell any or all Company property, including to Members, and any resulting gain or loss from each sale shall be computed and allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with the provisions of Article 5;
     (B) with respect to all Company property that has not been sold, the fair market value of that property shall be determined and the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized income, gain, loss, and deduction inherent in property that has not been reflected in the Capital Accounts previously would be allocated among the Members if there were a taxable disposition of that property for the fair market value of that property on the date of distribution; and
     (C) Company property (including cash) shall be distributed among the Members in accordance with Section 5.02; and those distributions shall be made by the end of the taxable year of the Company during which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, 90 Days after the date of the liquidation).
     (b) The distribution of cash or property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.02 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member of its Membership Interest and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented pursuant to Section 18-502(b) of the Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.
     (c) No dissolution or termination of the Company shall relieve a Member from any obligation to the extent such obligation has accrued as of the date of such dissolution or termination. Upon such termination, any books and records of the Company that there is a reasonable basis for believing will ever be needed again shall be furnished to GMOS, who shall keep such books and records (subject to review by any Person that was a Member at the time of dissolution) for a period at least three years. At such time as GMOS no longer agrees to keep such books and records, it shall offer the Persons who were Members at the time of dissolution the opportunity to take over such custody, shall deliver such books and records to such Persons if they elect to take over such custody and may destroy such books and records if they do not so elect. Any such custody by such Persons shall be on such terms as they may agree upon among themselves.
     12.03 Deficit Capital Accounts . No Member will be required to pay to the Company, to any other Member or to any third party any deficit balance that may exist from time to time in another Member’s Capital Account.
     12.04 Certificate of Cancellation . On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, the Members (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.05, and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the existence of the Company shall terminate (and the Term shall end), except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or other applicable Law.

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ARTICLE 13
GENERAL PROVISIONS
     13.01 Offset . Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member, any amounts that Member owes the Company may be deducted from that sum before payment.
     13.02 Notices . Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and must be delivered to the recipient in person, by courier or mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission. A notice, request or consent given under this Agreement is effective on receipt by the Member to receive it; provided, however, that a facsimile or other electronic transmission that is transmitted after the normal business hours of the recipient shall be deemed effective on the next Business Day. All notices, requests and consents to be sent to a Member must be sent to or made at the addresses given for that Member on Exhibit A or in the instrument described in Section 3.03(b)(iv)(A)(II) or 3.04, or such other address as that Member may specify by notice to the other Members. Any notice, request or consent to the Company must be given to all of the Members. Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law, the Delaware Certificate or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
     13.03 Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Members and their Affiliates relating to the Company and the transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes all provisions and concepts contained in all prior agreements.
     13.04 Effect of Waiver or Consent . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by any Member in the performance by that Member of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Member of the same or any other obligations of that Member with respect to the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, failure on the part of a Member to complain of any act of any Member or to declare any Member in default with respect to the Company, irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver by that Member of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable statute-of-limitations period has run.
     13.05 Amendment or Restatement . This Agreement or the Delaware Certificate may be amended or restated only by a written instrument executed (or, in the case of the Delaware Certificate, approved) by a Unanimous Interest.
     13.06 Binding Effect . Subject to the restrictions on Dispositions set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
     13.07 Governing Law; Severability . THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION . In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the Act, such provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of the Act provides that it may

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be varied or superseded in a limited liability company agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of a limited liability company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Member or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of that provision to other Members or circumstances is not affected thereby, and (b) the Members shall negotiate in good faith to replace that provision with a new provision that is valid and enforceable and that puts the Members in substantially the same economic, business and legal position as they would have been in if the original provision had been valid and enforceable.
     13.08 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and those transactions; provided, however, that this Section 13.08 shall not obligate a Member to furnish guarantees or other credit supports by such Member’s Parent or other Affiliates.
     13.09 Waiver of Certain Rights . Each Member irrevocably waives any right it may have to maintain any action for dissolution of the Company or for partition of the property of the Company.
     13.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument.
     13.11 Fair Market Value Determination .
     (a)  Preferential Purchase Right . If the Fair Market Value of a Membership Interest is to be determined for purposes of Section 3.03(b)(ii), the Disposing Member, on the one side, and all other Members who in good faith have an interest in possibly exercising the applicable Preferential Right, on the other side, shall seek to determine such Fair Market Value by mutual agreement. As soon as either side decides that mutual agreement will not be reached, it may give notice to the other side that it elects to initiate the process set forth in Section 13.11(c) to determine such Fair Market Value.
     (b)  Change of Member Control . If the Fair Market Value of a Membership Interest is to be determined for purposes of Section 3.03(b)(vi), the Changing Member, on the one side, and all other Members who in good faith have an interest in possibly exercising the applicable Buy-out Right, on the other side, shall seek to determine such Fair Market Value by mutual agreement. As soon as either side decides that mutual agreement will not be reached, it may give notice to the other side that it elects to initiate the process set forth in Section 13.11(c) to determine such Fair Market Value.
     (c)  Appraisal . The side (the “ First Side ”) that gives the notice (the “ FMV Notice ”) to the other side (the “ Second Side ”) pursuant to Section 13.11(a) or (b) shall include in the FMV Notice the name of the appraisal firm selected by the First Side. Within 30 Days after the giving of the FMV Notice, the Second Side shall notify (the “ Second Notice ”) the First Side of the appraisal firm selected by the Second Side, provided that, if the Second Side fails to so select its appraisal firm, the Appraisal Committee shall consist solely of the appraisal firm selected by the First Side. The two

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appraisal firms so selected (if applicable) shall select a third appraisal firm within 15 Days after the giving of the Second Notice, and if they fail to do so within such period, such third firm will be selected by the American Arbitration Association at the request of either side within 10 Days after such request (such third firm, together with the appraisal firms selected by the First Side and the Second Side, being herein called the “ Appraisal Committee ”). Within 30 Days after the last member of the Appraisal Committee is selected, each of the First Side and Second Side shall submit a proposed Fair Market Value to the Appraisal Committee, together with any supporting documentation such side deems appropriate. If either side fails to submit its proposed Fair Market Value within the required time period, the Fair Market Value proposed by the other side (assuming such other side has submitted its proposed Fair Market Value within the required time period) shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value, and same shall be deemed to be determined as of the last day of such time period. If both sides submit their respective proposed Fair Market Value on a timely basis, the Appraisal Committee shall determine, by majority vote, the Fair Market Value (which must be one of the two proposals) as promptly as possible (and in any event on or before the 30th Day after submittal of the latter of the two competing proposals), which determination shall be final and binding on both sides. The cost of such appraisal shall be paid in equal portions by both sides, except that each side shall bear the fees and expenses of the appraisal firm selected by it. Each appraisal firm selected pursuant to this Section 13.11(c) shall be an investment banking, accounting or other firm that performs appraisal and valuation services. Each side shall provide to the other and, if applicable, the Appraisal Committee, all information reasonably requested by them.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Members have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
         
    MEMBERS:
 
       
    SPECTRA ENERGY SOUTHEAST PIPELINE CORPORATION
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Mark Fiedorek
 
       
 
  Name:   Mark Fiedorek
 
  Title:   President
 
       
    WGP GULFSTREAM PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Frank J. Ferazzi
 
       
 
  Name:   Frank J. Ferazzi
 
  Title:   Vice President
[Signature page to Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.]

 


 

EXHIBIT A
MEMBERS
                 
    Sharing        
Name and Address   Ratio   Parent   Representative and Alternate Representatives
 
Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corporation
    50 %   Spectra Energy Corp   Guy G. Buckley –Representative
5400 Westheimer Court
               
Houston, Texas 77056-5310
              Mark Fiedorek — Alternate Representative
Attn: Brad Reese
               
          2701 North Rocky Point Drive
               
Suite 1050, Tampa, Florida 33607
               
Fax: (813) 289-4438
               
 
               
WGP Gulfstream Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
    50 %   The Williams Companies, Inc.   Frank J. Ferazzi – Representative
2800 Post Oak Blvd.
               
Houston, Texas 77056
              James C. Moore – Alternate Representative
Attn: Frank J. Ferazzi
               
          Vice President
              Richard D. Rodekohr – Alternate Representative
Fax: (713) 215-4269
               
Exhibit A – Page 1

 

 

Exhibit 23.1
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-141687 on Form S-1 of our (1) report dated March 27, 2007 (May 7, 2007 as to paragraph 4 of Note 11) relating to the combined financial statements and financial statement schedule of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the preparation of the combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor from the separate records maintained by Spectra Energy Capital, LLC), (2) report dated March 27, 2007, relating to the balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and (3) report dated March 27, 2007, relating to the balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP all appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
 
We also consent to the reference to us under the headings “Experts” in such Prospectus.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Houston, Texas
May 31, 2007

 

Exhibit 23.2
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-141687 of Spectra Energy Partners, LP on Form S-1 of our report dated March 27, 2007 related to the financial statements of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Houston, Texas
May 31, 2007

 

Exhibit 23.3
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-141687 of Spectra Energy Partners, LP on Form S-1 of our report dated March 27, 2007 related to the consolidated financial statements of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Houston, Texas
May 31, 2007